Cereal production, especially winter wheat production, is an important economic crop in Europe, by extension worldwide. Furthermore, wheat is one of the most important sources of human food and animal feed. For this reason, its cultivation has become highly professionalized, including mechanization. But also by optimization of cultivation in terms of genetics and efficient use of crop protection products to reduce pressure from fungi, weeds, diseases and pests.

Also in Flanders, the yield of winter wheat was systematically further maximized in this way, but resulting in smaller financial margins. There is a fine line between the cost of inputs and economical gain from yield. The goal within this research is therefore to maximize the economic return of winter wheat cultivation, within the boundaries of IPM. These trials strive for an ‘optimal’ yield rather than a ‘maximum’. Which means lowering the cost of inputs, with an as high as possible yield output. This to economically assess low-input winter wheat production systems in Flanders. 

During three consecutive growing seasons of winter wheat between 2019-2023, field trials were set up at three locations spread in Flanders. On the different locations the same varieties were sown. These were chosen based on disease tolerance or sensitivity. Which were combined with three fungicide schemes: (1) no treatment, (2) one treatment in final leaf stage (BBCH 39) and (3) two treatments, in second node (BBCH 32) and between ear formation until flowering (BBCH 55 -65).  

After three seasons of trials on different locations the results show the underestimated importance of disease-tolerant varieties. The reduced usage of fungicides and a thoughtful choice of varieties can result in a lower yield (kg/ha), but also in lower costs of cultivation. Which leads to an equal or even higher economic return per ha.

It can be concluded that the added value of background knowledge of varieties, disease patterns and properties of crop protection products achieves an equivalent economic result with reduced inputs/costs in winter wheat in Flanders. Unnecessary treatments with fungicides puts pressure on the environment, but also on the authorization of active ingredients. Additionally this requests extra costs and time for the farmer.