Light leaf spot risk remains relatively low after relatively dry start to 2019

Each spring, the autumn is updated to take account of winter rainfall. As January and February were relatively dry, and because December was not particularly wet, the overall risk has reduced in the final forecast, according to AHDB.

The regional forecast highlights the proportion of the winter oilseed rape (OSR) crop, with a disease resistance rating of 5, predicted to have more than 25 per cent of plants affected by the disease by the spring. The forecast does not show total incidence.

Jon West, who manages the forecast at Rothamsted Research, says: “Light leaf spot symptoms have already been observed at some monitoring sites. Although it is a relatively low-risk year, a high incidence can still occur in some crops.

“February got off to a cold start and this favours disease development. This was followed by unusually dry, sunny weather towards the end of the month and this favours symptom expression.

“As there is always a lot of field-to-field and within-field variability, we advise vigilance and frequent crop inspections to assess LLS severity.”

It is the first season since 2013/14 that no regions have fallen into the highest risk category (>60 per cent).

Towards southern Britain, especially in East Anglia, the risk forecast is exceptionally low, with the forecast predicting even lower disease pressures than the relatively low-risk 2013/14 season, according to AHDB.

Historically, LLS risk is more serious in the north of England and Scotland. The 2018/19 risk in these regions can be described as moderate. The highest risk is forecast to be in the West Midlands and Wales regions.

Information on fungicide performance and LLS can be accessed via ahdb.org.uk/lightleafspot