Life in Life Scientific

September in Life Scientific Newsletter

UK News:

It’s always good to get product feedback – it shows us what we’re doing well and where we can do better. One area we’ve had feedback on is our labels, so we have listened and prioritised making them better for the new season.

We’re delighted to reveal our brand new look which will start appearing on products this Autumn, with Firestarter being the first product to be released with the new labels, and the rest of the range following in the Autumn and into Spring.

The new designs consist of a front and a back label on the bottle so information is larger and therefore easier to read and they are also colour coded into product groups. Blue labels indicate a fungicide, green for herbicides. Lambdastar, our insecticide is red and other product groups such as adjuvants or plant growth regulators will have a purple label.

Product News

Winter Linseed is gaining in popularity and increasing its UK acreage. It could be seen as an easier crop to manage in the autumn due to being unattractive to Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle and slugs.

Basilico is a reverse engineered Callisto and contains 100g/L of mesotrione providing excellent control for a range of broad leaved weeds.

Basilico was granted an Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) in crops of Linseed when used at the pre-emergence timing and can be applied once, at a maximum rate of 1.5L/ha for control of Common chickweed, Fat-hen and Field pansy amongst other Autumn germinating weeds.

The EAMU and further product details can be obtained from our website.

BASILICO

Oilseed Rape Focus

 

There is rumoured to be a 25% increase in oilseed rape crops planted this year, if growers have sufficient soil moisture to drill. Whilst warm, moist seedbeds provide the right conditions to get the crop growing, the risks associated with growing OSR have not gone away.

Once the crop is in the ground it needs to be protected – preferably without large up-front costs but due to the increase in selling prices it’s more important than ever to provide the right protection to maximise yield.

Disease control in OSR is much more straight forward than pest control.

Phoma can sometimes be neglected as light leaf spot takes the headlines, but phoma lesions can progress into quite damaging stem cankers which severely impact water and nutrient movement through the plant – impacting plants ability to grow away from slugs, pigeons etc.

Early phoma infections on smaller plants can cause losses of up to 0.5t/ha so its important to prioritise smaller plants and apply a fungicide when treatment threshold levels are reached. Difenostar containing 250g/L difenconazole is a great option for phoma control without the up-front spend. The same level of disease control can be achieved with 2 applications of 0.25L/ha 3-4 weeks apart as a single dose of 0.5L/ha. If fresh symptoms are seen in late winter or early spring a second application of 0.5 L/ha should be made.

Total dose of Difenostar approved on oilseed rape is 1 L/ha. For more product information visit the website.

DIFENOSTAR

Although phoma is the most widespread early OSR disease, light leaf spot is the most damaging in terms of yield with potential losses of up to 1t/ha

Earlier sown crops are at the greatest risk of light leaf spot and reports show this disease is being found earlier and recycling quicker than previously thought.

It is important to protect crops in the Autumn to prevent a more devastating reoccurrence of the disease in the Spring. Fungicide applications should be prioritised for varieties which score below 6 on the Recommended List but all crops need regular monitoring.

There are several regional forecasting tools which can help for effective application timing. A stacked triazole approach using both tebuconazole and prothioconazole provides protective and curative activity and reduces the reliance on solo prothioconazole as part of an anti resistance strategy.

Esker is our reverse engineered Kestrel containing 160g/l prothioconazole and 80g/l tebuconazole. It’s an excellent fungicide choice for control of light leaf spot and will contribute to plant growth regulation and managing crop canopies in order to maximise yield.

ESKER

 

We can’t talk about OSR Autumn protection without mentioning cabbage stem flea beetle. Early sowing could be a way of preventing damage from cabbage stem flea beetle as larger crops may withstand a greater amount of insect damage. However constant monitoring is needed until plants are big enough to grow away from early shot-holling damage.

Lambdastar our reverse engineered Hallmark Zeon, is a good option for pyrethroid sensitive CSFB. Lambdastar contains 100g/l lambda-cyhalothrin and should be used as part of an anti resistance strategy when thresholds are reached. If using as a stand alone application a non-ionic wetter should be included to maximise efficacy.

 

LAMBDASTAR

 

September in Life Scientific Newsletter

Life in Life Scientific

August in Life Scientific Newsletter

UK News:

Combines are rolling up and down the country and it’s an exciting time for everyone involved in the harvest process. We’d like to wish all our colleagues and customers a successful, but mostly a safe harvest season. It’s also the start of briefing season and the chance to update growers and agronomists on life in Life Scientific, new products, developments and best practise advice for the coming autumn season. If you haven’t requested a briefing yet, and would like to hear from us about our current portfolio, new registrations, label changes or just catch up for a chat, we’d be happy to hear from you.

Product News:

It is predicted that the area of oilseed rape will increase by 25% this season and some is already in the ground.

Although the end prices are higher, unfortunately the risk of losses and complete crop failure from cabbage stem flea beetle has not gone away and growers will be monitoring crops carefully for signs of the pest.

Foliar applied, pyrethroid insecticides are the only chemical control for cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) in oilseed rape crops. Lambdastar is our reverse engineered Hallmark Zeon containing 100g/l lambda-cyhalothrin and can be used for CSFB control when thresholds are reached.

During germination and early growth stages, OSR is particularly at risk of damage so Lambdastar should be used at the first signs of attack rather than as a precautionary measure. At GS 10 (cotyledons unfolded) OSR plants are more tolerant to feeding damage and an application should be considered only if 25% of the leaf area has been eaten or weather and ground conditions are making plant growth slow. Yellow water traps can be set up at this point to aid beetle monitoring.

Lambdastar has a maximum individual dose of 75ml/ha in OSR and can be mixed with a range of fungicides if sprays are also targeting phoma or light leaf spot. However, if using Lambdastar as a stand alone application a non-ionic wetter should be included to maximise efficacy. For more information full product details are on the website.

Lambdastar

EAMU News:

A reminder that Modif, our reverse engineered Switch containing cyprodinil and fludioxonil, has been granted an approval of an Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) registration for use in carrots and celeriac.

This EAMU approval comes as welcome news as an additional option for vegetable growers for protection against sclerotinia and alternaria leaf blight. The EAMU covers three applications in carrots at a rate of 0.8kg/ha and should be applied 7 days before harvest. In celeriac, only two treatments of 0.8kg/ha are recommended and should be applied 14 days before harvest.

Modif is a broad spectrum fungicide for use in a wide range of horticultural and agricultural crops. It is most effective when used as a protectant treatment or in the
earliest stages of disease development. Its two complimentary active ingredients are from different chemical families with different modes of action.

The EAMU can be accessed here or on our website: https://lifescientific.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-05-05-MODIF-add-uses-PAN.pdf

August in Life Scientific Newsletter

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July in Life Scientific Newsletter

UK News:

It’s the season for open days and agricultural shows and a good opportunity to view trial results and different varieties and assess what has worked well in the current cropping year. Product briefings will start soon as thoughts turn to crop protection choices for next season. If anyone would like to hear about Life Scientific and our products don’t hesitate to contact us using one of the methods at the end of this newsletter.

NEW LOOK FOR PRODUCT LABELS

It’s always good to get product feedback, whether positive or not quite so good. One of the improvement projects that we’ve been working on is our product labels.
We’re delighted to reveal our brand new look which will start appearing on products this autumn, with Firestarter the first product to be released with the new labels and the rest of the range following in the autumn and into spring.

The new designs will consist of a front and a back label on the bottle so information can be larger and easier to read. The new front labels, pictured below, have larger product names for easy identification and are colour coded into product groups. Blue labels indicate a fungicide and green labels are for herbicides. Lambdastar, our insecticide is red and other product groups such as adjuvants or plant growth regulators will have a purple label. The box labels are changing in line with the new look too, so all Life Scientific products will be quick and easy to identify in the store.

Huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to this project, from your comments we have been able to create a new look which is both eye catching and practical.

CUSTOMER FOCUS

Following on from the new label project we have been looking at ways to get to know our customers better, understand their needs and improve our service. Members of the Life Scientific team spent a couple of days in the UK earlier this month spending time with HL Hutchinsons and farmers. It was a good opportunity for French, German and Irish colleagues to gain first hand experience from the UK and hear the challenges of UK agriculture straight from the horse’s mouth. Life Scientific distribute products nationally through HL Hutchinsons and Procam.

July in Life Scientific Newsletter

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June in Life Scientific Newsletter

UK News:

It’s been a while since we’ve all come together for a team day but UK, French, Spanish, German and Irish colleagues came together for a much needed catch up in May.
Along with sharing successes and discussions on the challenges facing the industry for next season we were able to share a bar-b-que and team games in the evening, such as “ski racing”, wellie wanging and turf laying.

Product News

Esker was launched last spring and is a combination of 160g/l prothioconazole and 80g/l tebuconazole. Esker is a reverse engineered Kestrel and a broad-spectrum systemic fungicide with eradicant and protectant activity. It is an emulsifiable concentrate formulation suitable for use alone or in combination with a wide range of other fungicides, herbicides and insecticides to provide effective control of key diseases and a reduction of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol in wheat.

For more information including product label, safety data sheet and compatible tank mixes see the Life Scientific website https://lifescientific.com/products/

or download the App to get product information direct to your phone.

ESKER

 New EAMU 

We’re delighted to bring another use to our product Modif which contains cyprodinil and fludioxonil and thanks to its new extension of authorisation, can now be used on both carrots and celeriac.
Modif is a reverse engineered Switch, a WG which can be used for a range of diseases in ornamental plant production as well as fruit and vegetable crops.

The new EAMU provides protection against sclerotinia and Alternaria leaf blight and can be used as set out in the table below.

A copy of the documentation needed can be found on the Modif product information page on our website.

https://lifescientific.com/products/uk/modif/

There is no label claim for powdery mildew on the label, however at a customer request Modif was included in a replicated field trial conducted by RAA labs in Lincolnshire to determine the level of control of powdery mildew when used at two dose rates in crops of vining peas.

One application was made at early flowering using dose rates of 0.25kg/ha and 0.5kg/ha. Assessments were made at 7 and 14 days after application to show the percentage control over untreated.
In late spring, peas and beans are susceptible to powdery mildew, which shows as pale patches on the upper side of the leaf and the underside has grey or dark reddish mycelium.

T3 Applications 

T3 applications are being planned for most cereal crops. Due to the warm, wet and recent humid conditions the risk of fusarium ear blight has increased. Many growers won’t want to take the risk of leaving crops completely unprotected from now until harvest. Brown rust is also a concern at this late stage and plants will need protection to prevent yield loss.

Oraso Pro and Esker fungicides containing tebuconazole and prothioconazole make ideal choices to protect against ear diseases, rust, give a top up on Septoria control and help to prevent loss of grain quality in milling wheats.

Ideal Timing

The timing of T3 applications will, of course depend on variety and end market considerations, however the main target of the fungicide application will also change the ideal spraying date.

If the target is controlling foliar diseases, an early T3, around GS 59 is considered optimum. This will also help to maximise the canopy size and the duration of yield building within the plant.

The ear is considered to be at the greatest risk of disease between GS 63 and 65, just after the start of flowering. Ears are infected via the anthers so it’s important not to spray before these are out. This can be a really short time period so regular crop monitoring and a variety prioritisation plan should be in place. Levels of disease control will decrease daily after flowering is completed, so at GS 65 crops will become a priority if weather has made application impossible up to that point.

 

Bean Agronomy

Many bean crops will have received their first fungicide application, but a follow up will be needed to ensure plants remain disease free for the remainder of the growing season. The recent warmer wet weather brings an increased risk of bean rust and chocolate spot.

Rust scores are not classified on the PGRO recommended list, however there are no varieties of winter or spring bean crops which are resistant to rust.
During the last couple of years bean rust has become the most dominant disease of the crop. Using an effective fungicide will protect yield losses which can be as high as 70%.

A mix of azoxystrobin and tebuconazole will control disease. Azoxystar contains 250g/l azoxystrobin and is permitted for two applications of 1.0 l/ha between GS 60 and 69. If Azoxystar has been used previously in the crop leave a 21 day interval between applications. Zonor which contains 250g/l tebuconazole can be used in mix with Azoxystar or separately from GS 40 up to 35 days before harvest to control chocolate spot and bean rust.

 

June in Life Scientific Newsletter

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May Newsletter

UK News:

Basilico can be used in grain and forage maize for broad-leaved weed control. Early weed control in maize is important to get the plants off to the right start.

Weed competition between the row can affect the growth habit of maize plants and restrict outward leaf growth which in turn reduces yield as maize plants cannot take advantage of all available sunlight. Weeds should be removed before the maize plants reach 4 true leaves.

Use Basilico at 0.75 l/ha for a wide selection of broad-leaved weeds and at 1.5 l/ha for targeting Cocks pur grass.

For more information on Basilico, the product label, safety datasheet and compatible tank mixes see the Life Scientific website or download our App to get product information direct to your phone.

BASILICO

 

The Importance of Weed Control in Maize Crops

Weed control in maize is a high priority for growers as crops can easily become smothered by weeds as well as them competing for light, water and nutrients which ultimately reduces yield. As a spring crop, drilled at wide row spacings, crop competition from maize is not strong so it’s important to plan for weed control. Cultural controls of crop rotation, site selection, cultivation choice and pre-drilling glyphosate are important building blocks. For chemical control, Basilico can be used on both grain and forage maize post emergence from 2 to 8 leaves of the crop. Basilico controls a wide range of key broad-leaved weeds but is particularly effective on fat hen, redshank and black nightshade. See table below for growth stage susceptibility.

 

Basilico is taken up into the weeds mainly by foliar activity and gets into the plants quickly, however care must be taken with application to ensure good coverage of the target. It can be mixed with a range of other products to improve activity on grass weeds where required.

Sclerotinia control

It is vital to protect promising OSR yields with robust Sclerotinia control programme this spring. Controlling the damaging disease of Sclerotinia in oilseed rape will be more important then ever this season as oilseed rape prices hit some of the highest prices seen for several years. Sclerotinia stem rot is usually the main disease to consider during the flowering stages of oilseed rape.

As prices sit at circa £800/tonne at the end of April, it’s crucial to protect yield potential as crops come into the mid flowering stage. Although there is a wide variation in growth stages of oilseed rape crops across the country, mostly due to CSFB or pigeon grazing, the flowering period is well underway in many earlier drilled crops and this is coinciding with conditions suitable to the spread of sclerotinia in some areas. With sclerotinia it’s all about protection, and this means getting the timing of that first spray right. Fungicides need to be in place before significant petal fall occurs in the oilseed rape crops, as the ascospores released when the sclerotia germinate need a nutrient source, which comes from the petals. So if the petals attach themselves to the leaves or stem of the plant as they fall and airborne inoculum is around, there is an opportunity for infection to take place.

Although the infection cycle of sclerotinia sclerotiorum is complex, a good understanding of the three main risk factors – the presence of sclerotinia inoculum, warm and humid weather conditions and crops in flower – will help to target control. Germination takes place when soils reach a temperature of 8-10C with some soil moisture. The spores then infect plants when temperatures are above 7C and there’s high humidity. The AHDB Sclerotinia map is the best source of information on current rusk and can be found on the AHDB  cereals and oilseeds website  https://ahdb.org.uk/sclerotinia-infection-risk-alerts-for-oilseed-rape

Whilst timing is all important for the best control, when deciding on product choice for sclerotinia it is important to consider using a non-triazole option, as part of an anti resistance strategy, particularly where a triazole has already been used in the programme, perhaps for Light Leaf Spot control. Azoxystar is a good alternative.

As a strobilurin, Azoxystar also has strong physiological effects on the crop such as reducing the production of the stress hormone ethylene, which causes early stomatal closure, reduced green leaf area, pod abortion and pod shatter. In an extended flowering season or if crops are at various growth stages due to pigeon damage, for example, two applications can be used as any fungicide used will only give around 3 weeks of plant protection and it can be difficult to get the application timing to fit perfectly with weather and growth stage.

For more information on Azoxystar including product label, safety data sheet and compatible tank mixes see the Life Scientific website https://lifescientific.com/products/uk/azoxystar/ or download the app.

 

Delia Bean Fly

Soya is enjoying something of a resurgence in the UK. New varieties, in conjunction with a dramatic rise in the price of Soya, have made the crop look like a fair economic proposition for growers. However, there is a significant threat posed by Delia Platura (Delia Bean Fly). In previous years, growers have been able to use Chlorpyrifos for control. However since its withdrawal, the only approved product to control this pest is Life Scientific’s Lambdastar containing lambda-cyhalothrin.

Lambdastar should be used as a single pre- emergence application onto bare soil to control female flies. It may also reduce egg-laying by acting as an ongoing deterrent, as it’s the adult fly’s sense of smell that directs it to emerging Soya crops.

Authorisation is granted under an Extension of Authorisation, Number 0785 of 2018. Rate of use is between 75ml/ha and 150ml/ha and the latest time of application is immediately post emergence GS 10-15.

 

 

May Newsletter

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April Newsletter

UK News:

Our CEO, Nicola Mitchell was invited to join a select group of CEO’s visiting Washington as part of the Government’s St. Patrick’s Day events. The events showcased Irish Women Business leaders looking to significantly scale their businesses in export markets. The visit included a roundtable discussion with An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin as well as meetings with Select USA, US Chamber, Brookings Institute, World Bank and the US Embassy etc. and a number of networking events. The finale was the 30th Ireland Funds Gala Dinner, attended by President Joe Biden. With entry into the North American market firmly in LS sights, the visit was an excellent opportunity to build the Company’s US profile.

PRODUCT NEWS

As thoughts turn to early cereal fungicide applications, growersare keeping an eye on the development of yellow rust in wheatcrops.
Zonor is a reverse engineered Folicur containing 250g/ltebuconazole.

Zonor is a broad spectrum systemic fungicide for use in winterand spring crops of wheat (excluding Durum), barley, oats, rye, oilseed rape, field beans and linseed. It is particularly effective atcontrolling yellow and brown rust in wheat, and barley.

ZONOR 

For more information including product label, safety data sheetand compatible tank mixes see the Life Scientific website : https://lifescientific.com/products/ or download the App to getproduct information direct to your phone.

EARLY CEREAL APPLICATIONS

With drilling dates and cereal growth rates at varying points it’s important to identify plant growthstages correctly for effective product application.

Varieties vary in their response to vernalisation and day length. Check AHDB Recommended Lists for more information.

To identify winter wheat growth stages in the field, choose a representative plant and dissect the main tiller to determine where the first node is and how elongated it is from the base node.

The first fungicide application, T0 or at the early tillering stage should be targeting leaf 4 emerged. This timing is useful for mildew and rust control, fungicides will also have an effect on eyespot and give protection if T1 is delayed. For rusts a strobilurin, such as Azoxystar, will provide disease controland plant greening effects. Zonor, containing tebuconazole is also an effective holding spray at this timing.

Herbicide applications are also continuing in early spring. As a general rule, all pesticide products should be applied to well established, actively growing crops.

For SU herbicides such as Cintac and Niantic, extra consideration should be given to application timing and conditions as they can cause crop damage if they are applied to crops experiencing large temperature changes, cold nights and warm days for example, particularly when used in large tank mixes.

Keep products in the sprayer tank to a minimum and check application intervals required for some plant growth regulation products.

We do not support the use of water conditioners with Cintac or Niantic. As water pH decreases,Kaolin, the carrier particle in these products disperses more slowly and residue can be left on the filters or inside the tank.

For broad-leaved weeds Sumir, containing 50g/l florasulam, is a good option and particularly strong on cleavers. Sumir can also be used in a joint application with Niantic and Cintac.

For control of wild oats, Kipota, containing 240g/l clodinafop, provides provides an alternative to ALS chemistry.

SPRING LINSEED

An EAMU was granted last year for the use of Basilico, containing mesotrione 100g/l, to be used in crops of linseed as a pre emergence herbicide.
Basilico offers good control of difficult weeds such aspolygonums and fat hen. The best results are achieved from applications to moist soils immediately after drilling and rolling.

It can be used at a total dose of 1.5l/ha and further information about the product and the EAMU documentation can be found here.

BASILICO

April Newsletter

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March Newsletter

UK News:

Early product planning is essential at any time to ensure continuous supply, however in the current situation with various sources of disruption from BREXIT, Covid and labour shortages it becomes even more important to plan ahead and plan earlier.

All Country and Development Leads met in the Lyon Life Scientific office at the end of February to discuss ways of working and our product development strategy for the future.

Commercial and Research & Development functions are working together to ensure our pipeline is stacked with the products that customers want most, including more reverse engineered “clones” but also novel combinations.

Our scientists are able to select the best bits from individual actives or co-formulated combinations to ensure we’re providing more choice, better quality and increased efficacy to everything we produce.

It’s a really exciting time for us as a company and we look forward to sharing more news with you in the future.

 

Product News:

Esker was launched last spring and is a combination of 160g/l prothioconazole and 80g/l tebuconazole.

Esker is a reverse engineered Kestrel and a broad-spectrum systemic fungicide with eradicant and protectant activity.

It is an emulsifiable concentrate formulation suitable for use alone or in combination with a wide range of other fungicides, herbicides and insecticides to provide effective control of key diseases and a reduction of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol in wheat.

A maximum total dose of 2.0 l/ha Esker can be used in crops of oil seed rape and is particularly useful at the moment for phoma and light leaf spot control. Depending on dose, Esker can also add to the PGR strategy.

For more information including product label, safety data sheet and compatible tank mixes see the Life Scientific website or download the App to get product information direct to your phone.

ESKER

In Field Decision Making

With an early start to the season for some and many spring crops already up and away, crop walking picks up a pace and in-field conditions are changing rapidly so it can be important to make the right decisions quickly and get the most out of available spray application windows.

The Life Scientific App is free to download and has all our product information available on your mobile device so you’re able to access the information you need in-field.

For all our products, the label information is available on the App showing crops, target timings, dose rates and species or diseases controlled. Every product has a compatibility sheet so tank mixes can be checked. EAMU’s for each product are also shown, if applicable.

Both Apple and Android versions are available and all the information from the website is accessible on your handheld device.

We are looking for suggestions to make our App more user-friendly and provide a more comprehensive service. If you have any suggestions for additions to the information already provided please let us know.

March Newsletter

Life in Life Scientific…

February Newsletter

Product News:

In those areas where machinery travel is possible, growers are considering their herbicide options.

Cintac and Niantic contain mesosulfuron-methyl and iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium, two highly active sulfonylurea herbicides for the control of black-grass, wild oats, rye-grasses, meadow grasses, common chickweed, mayweeds, charlock and volunteer oilseed rape in winter wheat. The higher dose of iososulfuron-methyl-sodium in Cintac will also have activity on bromes.

For more information including product label, safety data sheet and compatible tank mixes see the Life Scientific website https://lifescientific.com/products/ or download the App to get product information direct to your phone.

To get the best performance from these herbicides correct timing and application is key. The following sections give advice on application best practice.

Application Advice for Black-grass Control

Spray applications expert Tom Robinson has been trialling Cintac for the past two years to understand how to get the maximum weed control by using different application techniques.

The trials looked at levels of black-grass control using four mainstream nozzles and three different boom heights.

With many growers looking to start their herbicide programmes in spring as they were unable to apply any autumn products it will be vital to get the best performance possible from any products.

Four different nozzle types were tested to see how they influenced efficacy of Cintac against black-grass.

The Guardian Air 110˚ reduced drift, Traditional Flat Fan 110˚ with medium spray quality, a Flat Fan 80˚, giving a higher energy output and a Defy 3D set to alternate forwards and backwards along the boom.

The best black-grass control was achieved with the nozzle which gave the greatest spray deposition on all four surface areas of the water sensitive targets. The Defy 3D nozzle gave the best all-round coverage at both 50 and 100cm above the crop.

The Importance of Boom Height

The boom height of the sprayer is incredibly important to get maximum efficacy from Cintac, or any product being used. For all four nozzle types tested in the Cintac application trials, the boom height was important, although the Guardian Air was the least sensitive to the different heights.

From 50 to 100cm the most consistent performing nozzle decreased coverage of the water sensitive paper by 10% and none of the nozzles tested had more than 8% coverage of the front vertical side of the targets when the boom height was set to 100cm above the crop.

Combined coverage on all surfaces from the 4 nozzles fell from 26% at 50 cm nozzle height, to 19% at 100 cm a drop of 35%. The figures illustrate the importance of keeping the nozzle at a height no greater than 50 cm above the crop to get the best kill of black-grass.

Using headcount and yield loss data from Dr Stephen Moss, (formally Rothamsted Research), using the Defy 3D nozzle over the Guardian Air would give an increase in yield of 0.7 tons/ha.

This season, with the variation in control of yield robbing grass weeds such as black-grass, every care must be taken to preserve profitability and minimise seed return for the following year.

Best Practise: Apply Cintac in 200l/ha at not more than 12km/hr using a Defy 3D (05 or 06), nozzle height should not be more than 50cm above the crop.

Sudo Mor – New PGR From Life Scientific

Sudo Mor contains 250g/l trinexapac ethyl and is a PGR registered for use on all varieties of winter and spring wheat, barley, oats, rye, triticale and ryegrass seed crops

Sudo Mor is a cost-effective crop management tool which protects and enhances yield potential, and comes to market at a time when growers are under pressure to scrutinise input costs whilst not compromising yields.

PGR’s will be an essential part of the spray programme this spring; we had a kind autumn, crops went in well and so far, the winter has been kind, so crops are coming into the spring growth period looking lush, forward and full of potential.

It is important this potential is managed correctly, which means ensuring lush crops are prevented from lodging.

There are three key factors that impact lodging risk.

Size of the canopy in the spring is a critical indicator of crop development and lodging risk. This can be measured by its green area index (GAI).

The best way to achieve a stable high yielding crop potential, in the lusher forward crops is to establish a good base. Like good building design, foundations are key to a stable structure, so early PGR’s and a continued programme of PGR’s will give the best chance to maintain a standing crop through the season.

Remember a higher yielding crop will produce heavier ears. Heavy ears put weight on the stem so the higher the yield potential the greater the risk. Estimates are for every extra tonne over 9t/ha, lodging resistance Is reduced by 0.5 points.

Varieties also have different resistances to lodging; this comes down to differences in height, tillering capacity, stem strength and speed of establishment.

Varieties with a score of 7 or less on the AHDB Recommended List should be considered at risk of lodging and should be managed accordingly.

 

How does Sudo Mor work?

As a contact acting PGR, Sudo Mor, inhibits the production of gibberellic acid and shortens the internodes, reducing lodging on cereals and grasses, and has a wide application window, from growth stage 30-39 (in winter cereals).

When used at GS30, the PGR helps root development and increases root plate diameter. This prevents lodging and also increases the plants ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Early use will also hold back and thicken the main stem, encouraging side tillers and even up the crop. By temporarily reducing the rate of stem extension with a PGR, such as Sudo Mor, it means more of the plant resources can be diverted to thickening the stems and promoting root growth. For more details including label and compatibility information click here

SUDO MOR

 

Kipota Equivalence

We took advantage of the fact that NIAB had an abundance of wild oat seeds after working with us on the wild oat resistance project during last summer and asked them if they would also carry out efficacy trials on Kipota.

Kipota, containing 240 g/l clodinafop is our reverse engineered Topik. A herbicide with useful activity on a number of grass weeds but is particularly strong for wild oat control.

Winter and Spring wild oat species were planted by NIAB and grown on in glass houses for evaluation.

Both Kipota and Topik were applied to plants at a rate of 0.125 l/ha plus oil. Plants were also assessed for fresh weight per pot and percentage reduction after application and plant mortality per pot and percentage control. The photo above, taken at 32 DAA, along with the data collected shows no difference between the 180 pots in the trial.

KIPOTA

February Newsletter

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January Newsletter

UK News:

Happy New Year to all our customers and colleagues! Generally, crops look full of promise and hopefully there is lots to be positive about in 2022. We can kick off the new year with product briefings before the soil warms up, things start growing and disease starts to develop. We have two new products launching this spring, Kaskad, a reverse engineered Debut containing 500 g/l triflusulfuron – methyl and Sudo Mor, a reverse engineered Moddus containing 250 g/l trinexapac ethyl along with a host of new EAMU’s which I’ve summarised in this newsletter. If you’d like to hear from us, either in person or for a virtual product briefing please contact us using one of the methods at the foot of this newsletter.

PRODUCT NEWS

Azoxystar, containing 250 g/l azoxystrobin is a reverse engineered Amistar. Azoxystar is a broad-spectrum fungicide for use in many crops which is particularly useful in early spring for use in potato crops at planting.
One in-furrow application is allowed in potatoes. This should be applied at planting in the furrow and provides useful activity to reduce the severity of soil-bourne diseases such as Stem Canker, Black Scurf and Black Dot.
Azoxystar should be applied to the soil before the tubers start tosprout.
For more information :   AZOXYSTAR

POTATO SUPPORT

To support the label extension for Azoxystar in potatoes at planting, Life Scientific have worked with Team Sprayers https://www.team-sprayers.com/ and Techneat Engineering http://www.techneatengineering.co.uk/ to confirm the application performance of Azoxystar through direct injection applicators designed for in‐furrow treatment.

• Calibrated on the Team Sprayers Compact 120 and Techneat In-Furrow V2
• Perfect results achieved from 3 to 5 bar
• Identical throughput compared to Amistar
• Consistent delivery for spray volumes from 50 to 150 l/ha using different output AZ or Lechler nozzles to suit the varying forward speed of different potato planters
• Azoxystar is easily cleaned from the system by standard washing procedures

10 replicated field trials conducted in UK and Northern France showed no significant differences in disease reduction levels between Azoxystar and Amistar when used infurrow in potatoes for the control of Stem Canker, Black Scurf and Black Dot.

Azoxystar can be used once at planting as an in- furrow application at a maximum dose rate of 3 l/ha. For more information see the website :

 AZOXYSTAR

#RUN1000

Once again we’ll be supporting #RUN1000 which is back in January for its second year.
Five nations will battle it out to walk or run the most miles throughout the month. Participants will raise funds for some fantastic agricultural support charities whilst promoting the benefits that walking and running has on mental health. Last year 1,200 participants raised over £51,000. The competition is open to all, no matter what level of physical activity or how many miles you hope to cover. Every step counts.
To read more about it and get involved register at: https://www.run1000.org/

EAMU’S

The registration team in Dublin is always busy and last year we secured several new additions to existing product labels through Extension of Authorisation for a Minor Use of a Plant Protection Product (EAMU)’s

As a reminder we’ve listed the EAMU’s here but all the details and documentation you need is provided on the website.

https://lifescientific.com/products/

Difenostar – (MAPP 19118) containing 250 g/l difenconazole can be used as a fungicide on linseed forthe control of Kabatellia Lincola, Alternaria and Sclerotinia. Individual dose rate is 0.5 l/ha and maximum total dose is 1.0 l/ha.

Azoxystar – (MAPP 17407) containing 250 g/l of azoxystrobin can be used on soya beans (dry) for the control of Sclerotinia at an individual dose rate of 1.0 l/ha or total dose of 2.0 l/ha.

Lambdastar – (MAPP 17406) containing 100 g/l lambda cyhalothrin can also be used on crops of soya beans (dry) for the control of Delia platura. Individual dose rate is 75 ml/ha and total maximum rate is150ml/ha.

Basilico – (MAPP 18028) contains 100 g/l mesotrione and has been granted approval for use as a pre-emergence herbicide on crops of linseed. It can be used once only at a maximum rate of 1.5 l/ha.

Cintac – (MAPP 18222) can be used to control grass weeds in crops of rye. It can be used once only at0.5 kg/ha.

Niantic – (MAPP 18217) can also be used on crops of rye for grass weed control at a single dose of 0.4kg/ha.

January Newsletter

Life in Life Scientific…

December Newsletter

UK News:

It was great to see so many faces, old and new at the CropTec event last month.

Our Tombola was a popular draw and I’m pleased to say so was our conversation. Efficacy specialist Sam Gorny was able to talk through our approach to trials and the exciting new products we’re currently developing. Principle Scientist for product characterisation Rachel Staunton had a couple of days away from the laboratory in Dublin to talk through the processes we go through to ensure all Life Scientific products are comparable to their reference products.

Rachel was able to explain the whole process of reverse engineering and provided visitors with practical examples of the various analysis and testing required for us to be sure the formulations are comparable in every way.

We were also joined by Nicola Mitchell on day one and she was able to spend time speaking to a few of our customers about their views on the future of farming.

Product News:

SUMIR is a selective post emergence herbicide for the control of cleavers and other broad-leaved weeds in winter and spring crops of wheat, barley and oats. It is a reverse engineered Boxer and contains 50 g/l florasulam formulated as an SC.

Sumir has systemic activity and can be absorbed by plant roots, stems and leaves. It interferes with the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids in targeted plants. It has a broad weed-killing spectrum, high activity, and a short residual period.

Sumir can be used in the autumn for controlling volunteer beans in cereal crops. High populations of beans should be controlled in the autumn as they can cause serious crop competition.

For autumn planted crops, a maximum total dose of 3.75g of florasulam must be observed for applications made between crop emergence in the year of planting and February 1st in the year of harvest.

The total amount of florasulam applied to a cereal crop must not exceed 7.5 g

For more product information visit the website :

SUMIR

 

ADAS Florasulam Trial:

As a company of scientists we love to find solutions, so this autumn we have set up a trial with ADAS to determine how to get the best weed control performance from Sumir containing 50g/l of florasulam.

Sumir can be used in the spring or autumn to control a number of

broad-leaved weeds but we have been asked about choosing the correct dose rate for different species. There is no easy answer as dose rate depends on weed type, growing conditions and weed size so we spoke to ADAS to set some container trials to determine the minimum dose of Sumir needed to control bur chervil, volunteer beans, ivy leaved speedwell and groundsel.

Boxer (50g/l florasulam) and Zypar (5g/l florasulam + 6.25g/l halauxifan-methyl) have been included as commercial comparisons.

Trials are set in 6 litre containers using a specific sterilised loam mix. The treatments are applied to weeds at three different growth stages to determine the minimum required dose rate at each growth stage.

There are a total of 19 treatments in the trial, each product timing and dose rate will have 3 replicates. We will have an untreated control and the following product options:

Sumir:

-0.04l/ha

-0.05l/ha (with and without an adjuvant)

-0.07l/ha

Boxer:

-0.05l/ha

Zypar:

-0.5l/ha

The containers are laid out in the polytunnel until germination and then placed outside to replicate similar weather conditions to field conditions. The ivy leaved speedwell, groundsel and volunteer bean seed were sown week beginning 8th November and germination is expected in 14 days from sowing. The bur chervil is due to be sown on 25th November due to difficulties obtaining seed. The assessments will take place at 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment application.

ADAS will be taking photographs of the different plants and treatments as the trial progresses, so we’ll be including the results in the following newsletters. Watch this space!

 

Another New EAMU

 

We’ve some great news for Difenostar, our reverse engineered Plover containing 250 g/l difenconazole.

We’ve been granted an Extension of Authorisation for a minor use of a plant protection product (EAMU).

Difenostar can now be used to control Sclerotinia, Alternaria and Kabitella Lincola in crops of linseed.

It can be applied once per crop up to the end of flowering at a maximum dose rate of 0.5l/ha.

 

December Newsletter

Life in Life Scientific…

November Newsletter

UK News:

Don’t forget to come and see us at the CropTec event at the East of England Showground this month.

We are exhibiting on stand number 1.31 in hall 1.

UK and IE Country Manager Ruth Stanley will be joined by Efficacy Specialist Sam Gorny and Principle Scientist for product characterisation Rachel Staunton so come and chat to us about the work we do and about our two new products for next spring. Kaskad a reverse engineered Debut for weed control in sugar beet and Sudo Mor our reverse engineered Moddus for plant growth regulation in cereals.

We’ll also have a tombola with the opportunity to win some great prizes on the day.

We look forrward to seeing you there.

Product News:

Niantic, the post emergence herbicide containing 30 g/kg mesosulfuron-methyl + 6 g/kg iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium is a reverse engineered Atlantis WG and can be used this autumn in crops of winter wheat as part of a programmed approach to control grass and broad leaved weeds.

Mild temperatures and showery conditions have caused weed emergence as pre em’s have started to run out of ste

am. Use Niantic at 0.4kg/ha plus authorised adjuvant either Probe or Biopower, while weeds are small and actively growing. Apply product in 200l/ha water up to growth stage 39.

It can be used to tackle, not just black-grass, but other problematic weeds such as wild oats, meadow-grasses and chickweed.

Take care when applying any grass weed products, aim to achieve the highest application standards to improve weed control and prevent resistance build up.

For more product information visit the website: NIANTIC

Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus

Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) affects crops of wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale.

It is the most widely distributed and economically important viral disease. Reported yield losses range between 30% and 60% in wheat and 50% to 75% in barley.

BYDV is transmitted by the Bird Cherry aphid (left) and the Grain aphid (right)

The virus used to be a lower risk in the UK but following the loss of Neonicotinoid seed dressings it is becoming more common. Add to that a warm and early drilling season such as autumn 2021 and BYDV is almost a certainty.

An aphid will carry the disease for its entire life once it has been infected by feeding on a plant already carrying the virus. Aphids fly into the crop and will feed on cereal foliage or the roots.

Significant infection occurs when second generation aphids feed and move out from the initial infection point.

Infected plants grow slowly and the youngest leaves will start to discolour. Later in the season plants are stunted and yellow patches appear, distributed throughout the field. Aphid reproduction is governed by temperature and chemical control should be targeted at second generation aphids to have maximum impact.

Regular field walking, the use of sticky traps and one of the several T-sum monitoring tools can be used to ensure that chemical application is targeted at the correct timing.

There are several sources of information for working out the best application timing for insecticide treatments. AHDB report on regional monitoring sites for aphid activity and publish regular updates at https://ahdb.org.uk/bydv

Advice on how to calculate the T-sum 170 day degrees threshold is also given on the AHDB website.

The T-sum is based on the date of crop emergence and the daily air temperature and provides guidance on when insecticide treatment should be considered, although this should not replace the need for physical crop inspection.

Insecticides, when used alone rather in than in a tank mix, are best used with a wetter as the low product rate is not sufficient to wet the leaf or aphid prope

rly. Application expert Tom Robinson’s rule of thumb on insecticide application is “For water to wet a leaf, one needs 0.1% non-ionic wetter 200ml in 200l water hence a single product at 50 ml/ha cannot wet the surface properly”

Tom also suggests forward and backwards facing nozzles to ensure maximum coverage of the target, a boom height of 50cm above the crop and sprayer forward speeds of 12-14k.

Correct product choice is essential due to the limited opportunities going into the autumn. Lambdastar contains 100g/l of lamb

da-cyhalothrin and should be used at the full rate of 50ml/ha. The highest risk of crop damage is in the early stages of de

velopment so applications should be made before GS 32 where possible.

As part of our research into how to deal with the BYDV risk in cereals this Autumn, following the loss of neonicotinoid seed dressings and dealing with Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle in OSR crops, Life Scientific commissioned Agrochemex to carry out an insecticide knockdown and persistence study in a replicated glasshouse trial.

A sensitive population of aphids (Aphis fabae) were introduced to bean plants, which were then sprayed with lambda-cyhalothrin insecticide.

Plants were sprayed with either Life Scientific’s Lambdastar or Hallmark Zeon at a rate of 50ml in 200 litres of water.

Aphids were then counted at 3, 7 and 14 days after application.

As expected, no significant differences were apparent between Lambdastar or Hallmark Zeon in terms of knockdown or persistency, however it’s always good to receive confirmation of product comparability between Lambdastar and the reference product.

November Newsletter

 

Life in Life Scientific…

October Newsletter 

This month we’re starting to see more evidence of getting back to business both in Life Scientific and further afield. Travel to our offices in different countries has resumed for colleagues and Life Scientific welcomed an ISO auditor on site. We’re pleased to report it went well!

CropTec is back for 2021 and we are excited to announce that we will be exhibiting there again at the East of England Showground on November 24th and 25th.

If you want to find out how cutting-edge R&D is bringing better quality off-patent crop protection products to market, come and speak to us at the show, we’ll be in Hall 1.

There will be an opportunity to talk to the team and take part in our Tombola!

We look forward to seeing you there

 

Product News

Historically seed treatments provided good protection from Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). Now that those treatments are gone, we are relying on cultural control methods and pyrethroid insecticides such as Lambdastar.

Lambdastar, our reverse engineered Hallmark Zeon containing 100g/l lambda-cyhalothrin should be applied to target second generation aphids as these are likely to move away from the plant originally colonised. Use a BYDV management tool or the 170 day degree model to ensure accurate timing. For best application technique, if using the product alone rather than in a fungicide or herbicide mix, use with a non-organo-silicone non-ionic wetter to get maximum efficacy.

Total dose of Lambdastar approved on wheat and barley crops is 200ml used before late milk stage GS 77 and an individual dose of 50ml/ha.

For more product information visit the website:

https://lifescientific.com/products/uk/lambdastar-uk/

 

Early Weed Control In Cereals

With a large acreage of wheat still to drill, particularly in areas with high black-grass populations, considerations turn to early weed control and which herbicide options to choose.

Firestarter contains 400g/l flufenacet and 100g/l diflufenican and is a reverse engineered Liberator. Firestarter has a proven track record for efficacy equivalence and reliable performance.

Firestarter can be used pre or post emergence in both winter wheat or barley crops at 0.6 l/ha up to 31st March in the year of harvest (GS23).

As flufenacet is currently the strongest active against black-grass control it should be an essential ingredient in any grass weed control programme. With black-grass control there is very little room for error, so it’s important to know that the products being applied in the programme are proven and effective.

Replicated field trials have been carried out over the last three years by the team at Prime Crop Research Ltd in order to demonstrate the efficacy and crop safety of Firestarter when used alone and as part of a programme with other herbicides.

 

The bar chart above shows the percentage of black-grass seed head reduction at three different trial sites over the last three years.

When Firestarter is used in a mixture with Avadex, trials show a 95.6% reduction in black-grass head numbers.

Firestarter also controls a number of other weeds both at pre and post emergence.

 

 

October Newsletter