The British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) has confirmed the trigger threshold of the Rothamsted Virus Yellows Forecast has been reached and, therefore, the use of Cruiser SB seed treatment will be applied to sugar beet seed in 2022.
The national Rothamsted Model forecasts the proportion of the crop that’s expected to show virus yellows symptoms in the absence of any control measures. Under the terms of the Emergency Authorisation the threshold was set at 19%.
The model has this week (1 March 2022), confirmed a forecast of 68.9% incidence.
Aphid arrival
According to the BBRO, the date of first arrival of aphids in crops in 2022 is forecasted from the 19 April onwards.
This is in comparison to 2021, where the forecasted incidence of virus yellows was 8% with an expected aphid flight date of 18 May, and in 2020, the forecasted incidence of virus yellows was 85% with an expected aphid flight date of 24 March.
As the 19% threshold trigger for 2022 has been reached, Cruiser SB seed treatment will be applied to sugar beet seed. However, the organisation has warned that all sugar beet growers must adhere to the robust stewardship programme that has been agreed by the Health & Safety Executive.
For more information and guidance from the BBRO, visit: https://bbro.co.uk/media/50677/22-advisory-bulletin-no-1.pdf
