Protect yield potential: Don’t start the season on the back foot
3rd March 2026
Early drilling, high crop biomass and a mild winter have created what experts describe as a potential “perfect disease storm” this spring – making a timely and affordable T0 fungicide spray critical to protecting yield potential.
Ruth Stanley, commercial agro manager (UK & Ireland) for Sumitomo Chemical, warns that many crops are already carrying significant disease pressure following well-established autumn drilling.
“Large areas of wheat were drilled from mid-September through early October, so crops are forward and carrying substantial biomass,” she explains. “With no prolonged cold spell over winter, diseases such as yellow and brown rust have continued to develop. Add to that more second wheats and extremely wet conditions, and the risk from stem-based diseases such as take-all and eyespot increases.”
Ruth stresses that growers cannot afford to fall behind. “Disease is always easier – and cheaper – to manage preventatively. A T0 spray provides the essential foundation for the fungicide programme. With waterlogged fields and more rain forecast, there is no guarantee that later applications can be made exactly on time. Starting clean protects crop potential and reduces pressure further down the line.”
Jodie Littleford, technical manager for combinable crop trials at Agrii, agrees that early intervention is key. “A T0 suppresses early inoculum from septoria, yellow rust and mildew, protects emerging yield-building leaves and initiates the stem-base programme,” she says. “In a season with many rust-susceptible varieties, interrupting rapid disease cycling early prevents it becoming more difficult and expensive to control later.”
However, Jodie cautions against focusing solely on rust. “Even in lower septoria years, we’ve seen consistent benefits from a T0. Reducing septoria on emerging leaves lowers disease pressure in the upper canopy later in the season. It’s about protecting the whole programme.”
Proven and affordable return on investment
Both experts emphasise that a well-planned T0 is a cost-effective insurance policy. Agrii trials conducted over several years show yield responses ranging from 0.15–1.1t/ha, equivalent to £24–£176/ha at £160/t, with an average uplift of 0.41t/ha.
“In yellow rust situations specifically, the average benefit of a T0 over the past three years has been +0.65t/ha — worth around £104/ha at £160/t,” says Jodie. “For a modest upfront cost, it’s an affordable way to safeguard yield potential rather than chasing disease later.”
A mixed triazole approach remains one of the most cost-effective T0 strategies, says Ruth. “Using mixtures provides broad-spectrum protection while supporting resistance management.”
Sakura®, which contains 167g/litre bromuconazole and 107g/litre tebuconazole, offers complementary activity across a wide disease spectrum, including stem-based diseases at T0.
“Bromuconazole helps reduce reliance on other actives such as prothioconazole, while tebuconazole provides rapid knockdown. Together, they deliver both activity and persistence.”
This has been confirmed by Agrii trials in Scotland, which showed Sakura outperformed straight triazole options by 0.47t/ha.
Jodie agrees: “A well-timed T0, integrated within a multi-mode-of-action programme, enhances the reliability and performance of subsequent T1 and T2 applications We have found a multisite-inclusive programme delivered a 0.53t/ha benefit compared with T1 and T2 alone.”
“Using a mixed triazole at T0 also frees up strobilurin applications for later in the programme,” adds Jodie. “With reduced SDHI sensitivity in brown rust and the possibility of heightened rust pressure in a mild season, retaining flexibility later could be crucial.”
Biostimulant benefits
She also notes that including a biostimulant, such as Innocul8, may provide additional plant health benefits as part of a robust early-season strategy.
Importantly, Sakura offers flexibility within the programme. “If travel is delayed at T0, it can be retained for use at T3 or earlier, maintaining its value,” says Mrs Stanley.
“In a high-risk spring, the message is clear – protecting crop potential starts early, and it doesn’t have to be expensive.”
Best use advice
- Apply Sakura preventatively, once per crop
- Maximum individual and total dose: 1.2-litres/ha
- When used with a partner product, apply 0.6–1.0-litres/ha depending on partner, target pathogen and disease pressure
- In high septoria pressure or resistance situations, mix with a partner from a different mode of action.
Read more spring spraying news.
