A rapid test launched this September for light leaf spot in oilseed rape is already identifying low levels of the disease with no visible signs on the plant.

The company behind the SwiftDetect  test, Microgenetics, says initial results from samples sent in since September have shown that light leaf spot has been detected in varieties with resistance ratings of 5-6 despite no evidence on the leaf.

Chris Steele, Crop Diagnostics Product Manager from Microgenetics, says it shows the disease is out there – you just can't see it yet. "With a long latent period and almost microscopic early symptoms, light leaf spot can be easily missed without using a latent test.

"This makes treating the disease challenging," he says.

From a sample of 10 leaves, SwiftDetect  will test down to a single cell of light leaf spot in your oilseed rape with results in one business day.

"It provides farmers with a cost-effective and accurate way to reveal how much disease is in the crop, when fungicides will be at their most effective. 

 "Because the test can detect light leaf spot before symptoms are visible, it will help Farmers and Agronomists optimise fungicide efficacy, delay costly fungicide applications in low detection fields and target applications to specific fields with high and early pathogen detection. This can potentially reduce overall cost and minimise crop protection use," says Chris.

The test gives real-time insight into the level of disease in crops, allowing fungicides to target the disease more effectively and efficiently by using the appropriate product and dose rate.

SwiftDetect has been around for two years already, and the light leaf spot test is the latest in a portfolio which also includes:

·       Septoria in wheat

·       Yellow rust in wheat

·       Brown rust in wheat

·       Mildew in wheat

·       Ramularia in barley

·       Light leaf spot in oilseed rape

 In 2023, the service will expand further to include net blotch and rhynchosporium in barley and phoma and sclerotinia in oilseed rape.