Results from a nationwide survey on oilseed rape indicate a high incidence of Turnip Yellows Virus (TuYV) in parts of England this year. Dr John Walsh, who led the research on behalf of seed breeder Limagrain UK, presented his findings at the Cereals 2015 event held in Lincolnshire 10 -11 June 2015.

‘Levels of infection are much higher than they have been for the past few seasons, with crops in parts of Yorkshire as much as 92% infected. Generally these hotspots are where you would expect them to be due to the large areas of oilseed rape being grown locally.'

TuYV is thought to be the most damaging of all viruses transmitted in brassica crops, yet least understood. Carried by the peach-potato aphid, it results in yield losses and tipburn after storage. Dr Walsh believes that the high incidences of infection have come about as a result of the high numbers of aphids flying last year.

'Last winter was mild and there were high levels of peach-potato aphid, leading to very high levels of the virus.'