Crop Clinic

Sclerotinia can attack a wide range of crops, including oilseed rape, and crops can be protected at mid-flower. Do however notify bee keepers.

Fungicide treatments can be successful when applied at first petal  fall. When treating crops in flower, notify local beekeepers

When applying any pesticide to a flowering oilseed rape crop give advance warning (at least 24 h) to local beekeepers so that they can keep hives closed to prevent bees picking up pesticides (especially insecticides) and taking them back to the hive.  Without bees, pollination of rape would be poor and yields would suffer as a result.
If pesticide treatments are necessary to a flowering rape crop, spray in the early morning or evening to minimise exposure to foraging bees.

Mid-flower sprays should be considered where:

• Oilseed rape is grown in close rotation.
• Susceptible crops (potatoes, carrots, shopping swedes, turnips, peas, beans) are grown in the rotation.
• Sclerotinia was present in the field or neighbouring fields last year.