The SDHI + azole fungicide Elatus Era (benzovindiflupyr + prothioconazole) will be available for use in peas and beans for the first full season this year, following its approval for use in both crops.

Speaking at a Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) and Syngenta pulse roadshow event, Michael Tait, Syngenta technical manager, said a key insight from Elatus Era trials has been the products outstanding control of rust and chocolate spot.

According to Mr Tait, trials have shown improvement in yields in contrasting seasons of hot, dry days and humid nights which are conducive to rust as well as cool and humid weather where chocolate spot prevails.

Recent research has focused on providing advice on use of Elatus Era in UK field conditions.

The fungicide is most effective applied as a preventative treatment, to target disease before it gets into the leaf or becomes established in the plant.

Growers have just one permitted application from GS51, at a rate of up to 0.66 litres per hectare.

That means deciding where to put the application in the programme and the most appropriate timing.

The trials results from 2021, where chocolate spot was more prevalent, have shown that rates should be kept up at the full 0.66 litres/ha, to give the best results and increase margin, said Mr Tait.

Rust rate

When rust is exclusively the target pathogen, trials suggest the application rate could be reduced to 0.5 litres/hectare.

Trials undertaken by PGRO and Syngenta show Elatus Era is most effectively used as the first spray in a two-spray programme, typically followed by Amistar (azoxystrobin) at the later timing.

In terms of application timing, trials show no advantage from an earlier T0 treatment, compared to conventional T1 and T2 treatments.

First treatments are best made with the crop at the beginning of flowering to 40% of flowers open (GS61-65), with the second treatment at the end of flowering (GS69).

That is typically mid- to late May, and then in mid-June, said Mr Tait.

PGRO trials in 2021 are said to have shown an increase in grain size and weight following a full rate application of Elatus Era, followed by Amistar, compared to the current industry standard.

In combining peas, a first season of PGRO trials in 2021 to evaluate the use of Elatus Era showed excellent control of powdery mildew from a single application, even though the disease is not currently on the label.

Further work is taking place in the coming season.

Existing stocks of Elatus Era, on farms and in distribution stores, can also now be used on field bean and combining pea crops

• Active ingredients benzovindiflupyr + prothioconazole
• Formulation emulsifiable concentrate (EC)
• Disease controlled (label) rust, chocolate spot, Ascochyta, plus powdery mildew (not currently on label)
• Number of permitted applications one, from GS51, at up to 0.66 litres/ha
• Application best used as first spray in a two-spray programme, applied at beginning of flowering to 40% of flowers open (GS61-65)