Ascra Xpro
Ascra® Xpro® is a unique formulation of two SDHI fungicides – bixafen and fluopyram – and the broad-spectrum azole fungicide prothioconazole.
Product details
In an increasingly uncertain world, it’s good to know you can rely on Ascra® Xpro®, the UK’s most widely used* fungicide in wheat.
From establishment through to harvest, the 2023-24 season proved a challenge with high broad disease pressure throughout. It quickly became apparent that to counter this complex of diseases would require a fungicide programme with excellent broad-spectrum activity.
Ascra® Xpro® has performed reliably over many years offering steadfast protection against the ever-present Septoria while delivering valuable efficacy against yellow and brown rusts, mildew and eyespot. As crops came through the winter many were struggling. The physiological boost provided by Xpro® technology helped improve key yield formation factors such as rooting, chlorophyll production and tiller retention.
The unique combination of prothioconazole, bixafen and fluopyram delivers excellent broad-spectrum disease control. Alongside Septoria in wheat, Ascra® Xpro® boasts highly effective yellow rust and stem-based disease protection. In barley it offers even better control of net blotch, Rhynchosporium and Ramularia than Siltra® Xpro®, the previous standard.
Ascra® Xpro® excels for grower convenience, with wide dose flexibility, excellent return on investment, Bayer’s renowned Leafshield formulation, and a ratio of prothioconazole, bixafen and fluopyram that satisfies Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) guidelines.
Its all-round activity ideally suited to the T1 timing and a good choice at T2 in wheat and, given its approval for use in malting crops, in barley too.
Good Septoria, rust and stem-based disease protection
Excellent net blotch, Rhynchosporium and Ramularia control over Siltra® Xpro®
Ideal T1 or T2 fit for both wheat and barley
Most widely used UK wheat fungicide last season
*Based on Kynetec market data for the 2024 season.
Ascra® Xpro® contains a unique combination of two succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs), the pyrazole-carboxamide bixafen and benzamide fluopyram, and the reliable and dependable azole fungicide, prothioconazole. It’s one reason why Ascra® Xpro® remains the UK’s most popular broad-spectrum fungicide.
The combination of two SDHIs complement each other through incomplete cross-resistance patterns, meaning if a pathogen develops a shift in sensitivity to one active substance, the other remains fully effective. This is especially important when seeking to control Septoria, which has shown the capacity to evolve rapidly and partly explains why growers experience changes in fungicide performance. Ascra® Xpro®’s incomplete cross-resistance is a factor in its consistent performance over many seasons.
Pathogen evolution is not unique to Septoria. The same applies to other wheat and barley diseases, which is why the inclusion of prothioconazole with its different mode of action, is also important.
Azole performance has declined in recent seasons, but the extent of this fall varies between azole groups. Prothioconazole performance against Septoria has stabilised albeit at a level below that seen at its introduction while against yellow rust, the complex of stem-based disease and prothioconazole remains highly effective. In barley, prothioconazole is the basis of most disease control programmes.
Unique benzamide SDHI technology and incomplete cross resistance with bixafen
Prothioconazole performance still strong across disease portfolio
Wheat
Fungicide performance trials performed by the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) in 2023 and Bayer trials conducted in partnership with ADAS in 2024 show Ascra® Xpro® delivers Septoria control comparable to Revystar® XE (fluxapyroxad + mefentrifluconazole) at equivalent dose rates with Ascra® Xpro® demonstrating better yellow rust control.
In 2024 Bayer fungicide trials conducted by NIAB at Callow, Herefordshire, investigated the relative performance of a five-spray programme using varieties with both strong and weak disease resistance scores. Although a five-spray regime is not considered ‘standard’, the high disease pressure of the 2024 season warranted it. The fungicide programme consisted of:
T0: Folicur® (tebuconazole)
T1: Ascra® Xpro® or Revystar® XE
T2: Ascra® Xpro® or Univoq® (fenpicoxamid + prothioconazole)
T3: Firefly® 155 (fluoxastrobin + prothioconazole)
T4: Folicur® + Comet® (pyraclostrobin)
The Ascra® Xpro® programme delivered an average yield response across five varieties of 3.94 T/ha compared with the untreated whereas the comparator programme of Revystar® XE at T1 and Univoq® at T2 delivered an average yield response of 3.36 T/ha. Individual variety response varied, but the greatest gain was seen in those varieties with acknowledged poor disease resistance (see fig).
Ascra® Xpro® delivered an average yield response of 3.94 T/ha compared with 3.36 T/ha for a programme comprising Revystar® XE at T1 and Univoq® at T2
Reference: Bayer trials performed by NIAB. Callow, Herefordshire, 2024.
Barley
Across 18 trials spanning three seasons using a range of varieties at sites across England and Scotland all with contrasting disease pressure, Ascra® Xpro® delivered an average yield response of 0.91 T/ha over the untreated and 0.27 T/ha over Revystar® XE.
Across three seasons, multiple sites and varieties, Ascra® Xpro® gave the greatest average yield protection compared with Revystar® XE and Siltra® Xpro®
The strong performance of Ascra® Xpro® is demonstrated in AHDB fungicide trials where Ascra® Xpro® treated crops had some of the lowest disease incidence and greatest yield response delivered by any fungicide in the trials.
Ascra® Xpro® delivered strong control of net blotch in both a protectant and eradicant scenario
Reference: AHDB, 2024
Ascra® Xpro® delivered strong control of Rhynchosporium in both a protectant and eradicant scenario
Reference: AHDB, 2024
Against Rhynchosporium Ascra® Xpro® delivered strong yield protection demonstrating there has been little change in its performance against this troublesome disease
Reference: AHDB, 2024
The flexibility to adjust the application rate from 1.0 L/ha to 1.5 L/ha in wheat, triticale and winter rye and 0.7 L/ha to 0.9 L/ha in barley and oats means Ascra® Xpro® can be adapted to the situation. Whether it be winter wheat with good disease resistance, such as KWS Extase or a variety with not-so-good resistance, such as LG Skyscraper, or other cereals such as barley, oats, triticale or winter rye, dose rates can be tailored to reflect the variety’s disease resistance, drilling date, market requirements or the prevailing weather.
Dose flexibility to match disease threats and severity
Approved for use in malting barley crops
Ascra® Xpro® contains three active substances comprising a balance of triazole and SDHI active substances. These two modes of action ensure Ascra® Xpro® complies with resistance management guidelines of the Fungicide Resistance Management Committee (FRAC).
To promote effective resistance management, fungicides should be used as part of an integrated management plan. This should consider variety selection, drilling date, cultivation policy and the use of other modes of action, including multi-site inhibitors and biological products to utilise all means of control and ensure sufficient diversity in the strategy.
To support resistance management no more than two applications of an SDHI fungicide should be applied to the same cereal crop in any one season. Ascra® Xpro® should not be tank-mixed with SDHI-containing fungicides.
For further guidance on good stewardship practices or to discuss how these restrictions may impact disease control strategies, please consult your local Bayer representative.
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Ascra® Xpro® contains bixafen, fluopyram and prothioconazole. Firefly® contains prothioconazole and fluoxastrobin. Folicur® contains tebuconazole. Ipresso® contains isoflucypram and prothioconazole. Proline® 275 contains prothioconazole. Siltra® Xpro® contains bixafen and prothioconazole. Ascra, Firefly, Folicur, Ipresso, Proline, Siltra and Xpro are registered trademarks of Bayer. All other brand names used are Trademarks of other manufacturers in which proprietary rights may exist. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label. For further information, including contact details, visit www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk or call 0808 1969522. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2025
