Cereal crops have wintered well, conscious technology is gaining value

The current situation predicts a favorable start: there is sufficient moisture available in the soils, and if the mild weather in early spring persists, the cereal crops can start developing rapidly. At the same time, the plant health situation shows a mixed picture. For example, the pressure of fungal diseases is high in barley crops, and network leaf spot can be detected in almost all fields at least at an initial level, therefore, according to Syngenta experts, it is worth starting protection as soon as possible. The general condition of wheat is more favorable, but more infected fields may also occur here, so planning preventive foliar protection treatments is justified.

Spring weed control will be timely

From the point of view of weed control, autumn weed control has been successful in many cases, but treatments left for spring may become urgent. Milder weather not only accelerates the development of cultivated plants, but also that of weeds. Monocotyledonous weeds deserve special attention, as their germination is often delayed, so they can appear in different stages of development even within a field. This can also make it difficult to time the appropriate treatment.

Effective weed control eliminates competition for water and nutrients, which is especially important during the period of ear differentiation. At the same time, foliage protection is also crucial, as prevention is the most effective strategy against pathogens. There is often a longer time between infection and the appearance of symptoms, so experts say it is worth intervening in good time if conditions are favorable for infection.

One of the most important tasks of the spring period is a thorough inspection of the fields

Farmers should assess what weed species are present, what infection symptoms are visible, and what the general condition of the crop is. This information fundamentally influences plant protection and technological decisions.

The role of early spring interventions is crucial

Growers should pay special attention to the condition of the plants and strengthening their stress tolerance. Due to increasingly extreme weather conditions, harmonious nutrient supply and biological support play an increasingly important role in cultivation, as they can help plants overcome environmental stresses.

Every grain must be fought for in today’s agriculture

In this spirit, Syngenta launched its “Every Grain Matters” cereal program, which aims to improve the quantitative and qualitative indicators of wheat and other cereals together with farmers. The essence of the program is the conscious coordination of plant protection and biological technology elements, as well as the appropriate timing, which is also assisted by digital decision-support tools.

The experiences are encouraging: based on comparisons to date, the technology used in the program not only resulted in additional yields, but also facilitated the improvement of quality indicators. According to the tests, thanks to Syngenta technology, the gluten content was on average +3%, and the protein content was on average +6.5%. The company intends to build on these positive results, further improving the measurable parameters by adapting new technological elements and digital solutions.