A new Syngenta iOSR Focus Site will provide growers and agronomists with a unique insight into innovative integrated crop management ideas and techniques – demonstrated in a real field situation that can be readily applied on farms. 

The iOSR Focus Site, based at the Rougham Syngenta Innovation Centre in Suffolk, will assess new options at all stages of crop growth, from establishment techniques to seed rates; varieties; canopy management; nutrition and pest and disease control right through the season. Many of the ideas being trialled have been in direct response to concerns and challenges raised by the Syngenta iOSR grower group, as well as building on some of their pioneering experiences and reported successes.

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ICM techniques under investigation include:

• Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle management with mustard and companion crops
• Green manure companion cropping
• Seed rate and seed treatment effects for CSFB management
• New seed treatments and variety interactions
• Field scale mechanical removal of CSFB larvae
• Innovation for TuYV and Clubroot management
• Sclerotinia control including new fungicide actives

Syngenta Field Technical Manager, James Southgate, believes the site will offer important practical ideas that growers will get value from seeing during the season, and with the harvest results.

“The challenges of growing OSR, and agronomy techniques, have changed significantly over the past five years. The iOSR Focus Site will specifically seek to provide solutions for growers and agronomists to consider throughout the crops’ management.  

“We are now into the second year on a similar Black-grass Focus Site initiative,” added Mr Southgate. “It is already providing extremely valuable insights into a whole range of options for more effective long-term grass weed control – as well as throwing up yet more questions and ideas for ongoing investigation.

“We fully acknowledge that not all the ideas on the iOSR Focus Site will work, and some may fail spectacularly; but the experiences of success and failure will be equally important in helping guide growers with informed future decisions.”

Mr Southgate reported the novel establishment options in trials at the iOSR Focus Site have already produced large differences in the plots. “We have certainly seen the competitive nature of the white mustard companion crop, which will be removed in the next few days to give the OSR room to grow.”

OSR varieties on the site are now showing their susceptibility to Phoma, with thresholds for spraying reached in some varieties by mid-October but not others, he highlighted.

The site will also take full advantage of precision agriculture and new farming technology techniques to monitor crops and assess performance through the year, which could also provide valuable in-season updates and agronomy tips, added Mr Southgate. 

In season Phoma Alert information can be tracked on the Syngenta website: www,syngenta.co.uk/phoma-alert or follow on Twitter: @syngentacropsuk