BASIS-qualified agronomists and growers can now access an online training course to improve understanding of cereal root disease take-all and its management.

Developed by Certis Belchim in partnership with BASIS Registration, the new course ‘Take-all: Understanding the Invisible Invader’ is available through the BASIS Classroom platform.

It provides practical guidance on recognising, diagnosing and managing one of the UK's most economically damaging cereal root diseases.

The training takes a broad view of disease management, with emphasis on understanding risk factors and taking management decisions integrated with the use of seed treatment.

Leanne Fowler, Certis Belchim’s key account manager for seed treatments, says the course reflects the company's ongoing commitment to education and continuous personal development (CPD).

"Take-all has been affecting cereal crops for decades, but the challenge continues to evolve as climate and growing conditions change, and new agronomists and growers enter the industry.

"This resource helps people build a better understanding of the disease, from its biology and symptoms through to the practical decisions that manage risk in the field.”

While the launch coincides with the 25th anniversary of Latitude (silthiofam), the industry's only specialist seed treatment for take-all, Leanne stresses: “Effective control comes from an integrated approach, not a single solution.”

The interactive course covers the disease lifecycle, factors that increase risk and how to distinguish take-all from other causes of poor crop performance.

It goes on to explore the role of crop rotation, drilling date and other cultural measures and examines where seed treatment fits within an integrated management strategy.

Finally, the cost and financial benefit to be gained from seed treatment are explored by working examples through Certis Belchim's online Latitude Calculator.

Access is open to members of the professional register and environmental advisers register now.

Estimated completion time is less than an hour and passing the online assessment qualifies for two CPD points.