Trials are to take place on fields of brassicas at Balmullo in Fife as part of AHDB’s Farm Excellence programme.
The field trials on broccoli and cauliflowers grown by East of Scotland Growers (ESG) and Brussels sprouts and swedes grown by Kettle Produce, will investigate methods of preventing downy mildew in cauliflower and the impact of bio-stimulants on crop health and vigour.
They will also look at herbicide screening pre and post-planting, as well as the use of herbicides that have shown promise in AHDB’s SCEPTRE plus trials.
ESG agronomist James Rome said the cooperative wanted to trial new approaches on their doorstep to see if they could benefit local growers.
He said: “The biggest trial we will be undertaking is for bio-stimulants. We need to adapt our conventional methods of growing to use these new products so we are less reliant on traditional chemistry. If we can produce a healthy plant from the start then we will have less problems with disease and pests.
“Drilling of swedes began on June 1, with the first herbicides applied later that week. Planting of the other brassicas – broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts and collards/points – began on June 5, with the first application of bio-stimulants due in the next two weeks.”
ADAS is in charge of the trials, which are being conducted by Oxford Agriculture Trials and NIAB.
Dr Dawn Teverson, AHDB knowledge exchange manager, said that while Scotland’s climate lends it to a summer production peak for flower-headed brassicas and overwintered Brussels sprouts, it also favours diseases such as downy mildew and light leaf spot, which are more minor issues in other regions.
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
