Background
In previous seasons disease incursion (ie. botrytis grey mould) in early sown vetch has been difficult to manage and a significant constraint to productivity and profitability. In chickpeas and bean, it has been observed previously that the spread of disease in standing stubble is slower than where stubble has been slashed or burnt and appears to follow rows early in the season.
If disease spread is slower, it could help with the control of epidemics, providing growers with more time to manage the disease.
The trial site located in Kalkee was previously sown with wheat in 2021 and composed of a black cracking clay soil type.
Aim
To investigate the impact of early sowing and fungicide strategies on disease development in vetch.
Method
Trial was sown on the 14th of April, at a crop rate of 120pl/m². Plots consist of four vetch varieties sub plots within larger whole plots assigned one of the three fungicide strategy treatments, refer to table 1 below. Each plot has been replicated four times, with 80 plots in total.
| Fungicide Strategies | Nil | Miravis Star@ Flowering | Miravis Star @ Canopy Closure |
| Vetch Variety | Benetas | Benetas | Benetas |
| Vetch Variety | Morava | Morava | Morava |
| Vetch Variety | Studenica | Studenica | Studenica |
| Vetch Variety | Timok | Timok | Timok |