BBRO crop protection scientist Dr Alistair Wright says the 2021-22 trials in Yorkshire and Thetford were very encouraging.

NEMGuard performed as well as Vydate, plants were healthier from establishment relative to the untreated, and root fanging symptoms were significantly reduced.

However, it was just one season and BBRO, supported by manufacturer Ecospray and marketing company Certis Belchim, established fully randomised trials during the 2022-23 campaign to build the body of data.

It has again improved root quality Dr Wright says: “There is a perfect dose response to NEMguard from the Yorkshire site, with an improvement in root quality seen as the rate increased, despite it being such a low-risk season.

“Everything looks positive from what we’ve seen so far and should build confidence.”

With the start of 2023 drilling imminent, he advises grower to: “Get soil testing done as soon as possible, get your drill ready and if you have an FLN issue and risk is high, use it in 2023,” adds Dr Wright.

BBRO guidance on application rate is to continue using NEMguard DE at 10 kg/ha.

However, the dose response seen in the 2022-23 trials suggests that growers can move up to the maximum individual dose of 20kg/ha rate to get a healthy payback.

“Even if FLN pressure is moderate, growers should see a return at the current value of sugar beet [£40/t]. If it turns out to be a wet year, the case is even stronger,” adds Dr Wright.

Certis Belchim’s eastern technical account manager Jeremy Booth urges growers to ensure their applicators are serviced and calibrated ready for NEMGuard DE application this spring.