Oilseed rape growers are being invited to support a new farmer‑led research project by submitting leaf samples affected by light leaf spot before the end of April.
The ‘Spore Scout’ study aims to improve understanding of how the disease varies across regions and seasons, identify key risk factors, and develop more effective control strategies. Running from 26 March to 30 April, the study will be repeated in 2027 and 2028.
The research forms part of LLS‑ERASED, a three‑year, £2.5m project funded by Defra and led by the British On‑Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN). It brings together farmers, breeders, scientists and agronomists to tackle light leaf spot using precision breeding and new disease‑management tools.
Professor Yongju Huang of the University of Hertfordshire explained that although crops are usually infected in autumn, symptoms often appear in spring. Samples from across the UK will help researchers understand how pathogen populations interact with varietal resistance and improve future control strategies.
Data collected over the three years will be used to develop a decision‑support system combining pathogen data with real‑time risk forecasting.
Tom Allen‑Stevens, managing director of BOFIN, said rising yield losses mean the project is timely, and that more samples will strengthen the research and its value to growers.
Farmers and agronomists can register online to receive a sampling pack with instructions and a pre‑paid return envelope: https://tinyurl.com/SporeScout
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