Taking an Evidence-Led Approach to Crop Stress
Following ITV’s focus on the impact of heatwaves and drought on UK agriculture, we urge growers to take a measured, evidence-led approach to managing crops through periods of environmental stress.
Assessing the Crop Before Acting
With extreme weather placing increasing pressure on UK crop production, growers are facing difficult decisions about how best to protect crops and preserve yield potential.
Our Head of Agronomy, Phil Burrell, says the starting point should be a careful assessment of the crop rather than simply increasing inputs.
Understanding the Crop Under Stress
With environmental extremes and subsequent impact on crop growth and performance it is vital to not make knee jerk reactions. The correct approach should always be to measure, review and adapt. Routine soil and crop monitoring should be used as the starting point. Alone this isn’t enough, visual examinations are a key component of understanding crop performance.
Monitor Crops as Conditions Change
Regular crop assessment is key, particularly as conditions can change rapidly. Crop development, rooting and overall plant health should be monitored alongside soil moisture and weather conditions.
Testing can also provide valuable insight, helping growers understand nutrient availability and crop status when visual symptoms alone may not tell the whole story.
Crops Respond Differently
“Crops on the same farm experiencing the same weather can behave very differently.”
“A broad-brush approach should be avoided in you want optimum crop performance.”
Building Crop Resilience with Kickstart
Rather than following a standard programme regardless of conditions, growers should consider adapting their approach to the growing crop in front of them, taking account of moisture availability, crop stage, nutrient status and yield potential. Farmers should take key consideration in preparing crops for success during establishment, aiding root growth and utilising biostimulant technology, such as Kickstart, to prepare the crop for stresses such as droughts.
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Applying the 4Rs for Nutrient Use Efficiency
We advise that extreme weather doesn’t necessarily mean growers need to do more, it means they need to make informed decisions. Phil highlights “The 4Rs of nutrient use efficiency remain. Using the right product, at the right rate, applied at the right time and in the right place will ensure optimum use of inputs to help mitigate climatic challenges.”
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