BYDV confirmed in winter cereal crops across the country
The presence of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) in winter cereal crops across the country has been confirmed by Seedtech technical director, Tim O’Donovan.
Both barley and wheat have been impacted, according to the Seedtech representative.
He said: “I have been speaking to both agronomists and tillage farmers and they are reporting a mixed bag of results from the field walks they have undertaken over recent days.
“Most barley crops have a small but base level of infection. However, in some areas, infection levels are quite high.
“I am aware of one instance where BYDV has become an issue in winter wheat.”
O’Donovan confirmed that a number of factors have combined to bring about the, now apparent, BYDV issue.
These are: crop location; field history; sowing date; the incomplete destruction of green bridges prior to planting; and the lack of spraying opportunities last autumn.
He said: “Sowing date is a key factor in exposing newly established cereal crops to the threat of BYDV."
He noted that where last autumn’s plantings are concerned, the second half of September was "critically important" in this regard.
"Temperatures remained high throughout the period giving aphids carrying the BYDV virus an opportunity to remain extremely active," O'Donovan said.
“There is also growing evidence of the need to ensure that all volunteer cereal plants are killed off in those instances when a new crop is established by direct drill in the stubble left from the previous crop.
“All green bridges must be managed effectively when it come to the minimising of the threat posed by BYDV.”
The coming weeks will tell the real impact of the current BYDV threat play out.
BYDV tolerant barley varieties
However, there is one defining response to the challenge now in play that would not have been the case a number of years ago - the availability of BYDV tolerant barley varieties.
O'Donovan said: “Tolerant varieties will display the yellowing symptoms associated with BYDV infestations at this time of the year.
"However, they will not succumb to the all-important yield robbing pressures that become apparent later in the season. These include severely stunted growth patterns and the production of shrivelled grains."
The response of BYDV tolerant varieties has been "thoroughly assessed" courtesy of independent trials carried out in Europe and Ireland, the Seedtech representative said.
“And it’s a message that has resonated strongly with Irish tillage farmers.
"Official figures confirm that just over two-thirds of certified winter barley seed sales last autumn were accounted for by sales of BYDV tolerant varieties."
Looking ahead, the Seedtech representative confirmed that BYDV tolerant varieties of winter wheat are currently under trial, with the expectation of seed stock becoming commercially available in around five years’ time.
He added: “But before that, Irish cereal growers can look forward to the first truly BYDV resistant variety of winter barley coming to market later this year.
“The name to look out for is Kestrel. It is a hybrid barley, which will be very suited to Irish growing conditions.
“Dealing effectively with BYDY is a key priority for Ireland’s tillage sector."
O'Donovan said that the issue will be addressed in detail at the upcoming Seedtech open days in June.
