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In the June edition:
- Late blight programme optimisation going into rapid growth
- Stay informed during rapid growth: Corteva solutions for potato growers, tackling late blight in 2026 and latest news
- BlueN™: maximising crop performance and quality
- Late-season weed control in sugar beet
- Pioneer® winter oilseed rape hybrids
- News and views from the Corteva team
- Update your communication preferences, enter our monthly prize draw, plus ways to earn IASIS points
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Late blight programme optimisation
going into rapid growth
The national crop has picked up the pace of development as soil temperatures have risen. Most crops will have had at least two fungicide applications and are moving into rapid growth.
The application of a non-OSBPI curative active ingredient, such as cymoxanil (Option®), in the first two spray applications – when access to the base of the developing crop is still possible – will have ensured that no hotspots have developed from seed-borne infection.
As we progress further into June, a notable shift in weather patterns has increased the risk of late blight. Keep up to date by checking Met Éireann for the latest forecast of the late blight pressure in your area.
Now that the crop is entering rapid growth, employing Zorvec Entecta™ in the programme introduces further new modes of action. These include oxathiapiprolin (OSBPI) and amisulbrom (QiI), while also utilising Zorvec's systemic activity to protect new growth as weather patterns become more unsettled.
Zorvec Entecta should be applied twice during rapid growth, alternating with fungicides that have different modes of action to maximise efficacy. Adhering to Corteva’s best practice guidance across the late blight programme remains essential to prevent the selection for resistant pathotypes within the local P. infestans population.
Given the increased risk, growers are strongly encouraged to maintain tight seven-day spray intervals in line with best practice guidelines. Programmes should also be reviewed in response to the heightened June risk. Where blight pressure increases, the timely use of a curative active ingredient can help maintain control. Option provides a highly flexible, truly curative partner with a unique mode of action, which can be included up to eight times within the programme.
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View the full best practice guidance from Corteva here.
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Stay informed during rapid growth: Corteva solutions for potato growers; tackling late blight in 2026; and latest news and CPD opportunity
Resistance update & fungicide programme best practice guidance
Potato late blight control is becoming increasingly complex in 2026, with the loss of the key multi-site fungicide mancozeb and growing pressure from resistant strains. As Craig Chisholm, Field Technical Manager for Fungicides at Corteva Agriscience, and Dr Faye Ritchie, Plant Pathologist at RSK ADAS, highlight, these changes are shifting the focus away from individual product choice towards building more resilient, well-structured fungicide programmes.
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Potato crop solutions from Corteva
Corteva's range of solutions for potato growers includes:
Find out more about our solutions here.
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Spring 2026 Technical Update
Follow the Crop 2026
Tune in for the 2026 Follow the Crop series with Corteva's Craig Chisholm, as he gives updates from the field on potato crop progress and key focus considerations throughout the season.
Click here to watch our latest update and stay tuned for more during the season.
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BlueN™: maximising crop performance and quality
BlueN:
June is a key window to maximise returns from BlueN, with crops such as potatoes, sugar beet and maize now moving into optimal growth stages for application.
BlueN is a foliar-applied nutrient efficiency biostimulant containing Methylobacterium symbioticum. It is designed to improve nitrogen use throughout the crop cycle when applied to actively growing crops, complementing existing fertiliser programmes. BlueN supports nutrient use efficiency and helps maintain crop performance during periods where soil nitrogen may be limiting and through phases of rapid growth.
Across UK and European trials, BlueN has consistently delivered yield benefits in potatoes, sugar beet and maize. Across UK trials conducted between 2023 and 2025, BlueN delivered yield benefits in the majority of situations, including:
- Marketable yield gains of 3.77 t/ha in potatoes
- Average yield increases of 11 t/ha in sugar beet
- An average yield benefit of 1.6 t/ha in maize
Now is the time to target crops that have achieved good canopy cover and are actively growing. Plan BlueN into the next suitable spray window to maximise colonisation and deliver season-long nitrogen support.
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Late-season weed control in sugar beet
As we move closer to row closure in sugar beet, this is the last opportunity to control creeping thistle and volunteer potatoes. A single creeping thistle plant per square metre can reduce sugar beet yield by up to 1.0 t/ha.
For effective control of creeping thistle, apply Lontrel™ at 0.25 l/ha at the rosette stage, followed by a further 0.5 l/ha three weeks later.
Volunteer potatoes are also significant yield robbers, with five volunteer potatoes per square metre capable of reducing yield by up to 16.5 t/ha. Lontrel will not fully control volunteer potatoes but will burn down the haulm and reduce the number of daughter tubers.
For best results, apply 0.25 l/ha when the haulm is 5-10 cm tall, followed by a further 0.25 l/ha 7–14 days later (up to a total dose of 0.75 l/ha). Partnering with ethofumesate or phenmedipham may help boost control.
Don’t forget that Lontrel may also be applied to other crops, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and ornamentals. It also has over 50 EAMUs; refer to the PCRD EAMU database for the most up-to-date information. Use of Lontrel under an EAMU is at the grower’s own risk.
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Pioneer winter oilseed rape hybrids
At Corteva, we offer a portfolio of high-performing Pioneer® WOSR hybrids, proven in UK and Ireland conditions and designed to deliver consistent yield, strong agronomics and valuable disease protection.
- PT303 – the first winter oilseed rape hybrid to offer growers top-level yields with built-in tolerance to Protector® Sclerotinia and partial resistance to Verticillium Stem Stripe, helping reduce the impact of key stem-based diseases.
- PT312 – delivers excellent gross output and very high oil content, combining Protector Sclerotinia tolerance with partial Verticillium Stem Stripe resistance and pod shatter tolerance for added harvest security.
- PT315 – a reliable, high-performing hybrid with very high oil content and pod shatter resistance, offering strong establishment and consistent performance across a range of conditions.
- NEW: PT322 – combines high gross output with exceptionally high oil content and strong disease defence, including Protector Sclerotinia tolerance, Turnip Yellows Virus resistance (TuYV) and enhanced stem canker resistance through LmS genetics.
Every Pioneer hybrid offers resistance to TuYV, supporting crop health and safeguarding yield potential.
Pioneer WOSR seed is available treated with LumiGEN® Premium or LumiGEN Premium Insecticide Powered by Lumiposa™. Both options include:
- Scenic Gold™ fungicide for early disease protection
- Lumidapt Optima™ nutrient growth promoter to support early vigour and establishment
The addition of Lumiposa provides seed-applied insecticide protection that enhances crop establishment, reduces early feeding damage and supports plant vigour. It is particularly valuable where early-season pest pressure, such as cabbage stem flea beetle or cabbage root fly, may threaten establishment.
Together, Pioneer genetics and LumiGEN seed treatments help establish healthy, uniform crops with the potential to maximise productivity.
Click here to find out more about our 2026 hybrid range.
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News and views from the Corteva Team
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Cereals 2026
Cereals 2026 took place last week, bringing farmers and agronomists together for one of the key events in the arable calendar. Visitors to Corteva’s stand 1044 explored the latest crop protection solutions, viewed crop plots and discussed the season’s challenges with specialists, as well as earning CPD points and prizes. Thanks for stopping by!
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Want to hear more from us?
Update your preferences and tailor your choices to make sure you receive the communications that are right for you. Don't forget to enter into our monthly prize draw by ticking the box before submitting to be in with the chance to win!
You can also stay in the loop with all the latest updates by following @CortevaIE on X and Facebook.
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Visit our website www.corteva.com/ie for product information, labels and advice. Our hotline team are also on hand to answer any queries or concerns you have.
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10 IASIS points will be awarded to those subscribing to this Agronomy Update.
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USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label. ®, ™ Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist. All manufacturers trade names and trademarks are duly acknowledged. © 2026 Corteva. Option® contains cymoxanil. Zorvec Entecta™ contains amisulbrom and oxathiapiprolin. Titus® contains rimsulfuron. BlueN™ contains Methylobacterium symbioticum. Lontrel™ contains clopyralid.  | | | | |