Gavel
Zoxamide and mancozeb are the active ingredients for Gavel, a new fungicide from Gowan, which says they work in synergy to protect crops from major diseases. Zoxamide kills fungal zoospores before they are released and attempt to penetrate leaf surfaces. Mancozeb inhibits spore germination and disrupts enzyme activity.
Gowan says Gavel provides excellent control of early blight and late blight in potatoes. Although Gavel is not systemic, it is resistant to rain on the foliage because zoxamide is absorbed and held firmly in the waxy layer of the leaf cuticle, making it difficult to wash off.
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It’s advised to start applications at the first signs of disease or when cases of infection are reported in the area. Apply every seven days when disease pressure is high or when disease is present or environmental conditions are favourable for continued disease development. A maximum of six applications per season is allowed, with a pre-harvest interval of three days.
ca.gowanco.com/products/gavel-df-fungicide
Minuet
Minuet biological fungicide is Bayer CropScience’s newest addition to its crop protection product portfolio. Registered for potatoes across Canada, it is a concentrated preparation of Serenade SOIL, a biological fungicide for furrow application which has been available for several years.
Minuet can be applied before or after planting and by irrigation, as a transplant drench, in-furrow or shanked/injected in. When applying by spray, it is important to irrigate so that the product penetrates the seed.
As a soil-applied biological fungicide, Minuet uses an active ingredient from FRAC group BM02 (organic with multiple modes of action), Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713. Minuet protects against soil-borne diseases such as rhizoctonia, black scurf and stem canker, in addition to suppressing pink rot and root rot caused by fusarium, phytophthora and pythium. In the soil, it forms a symbiosis with the plant and triggers activation of root and plant growth. It activates the plant’s defence response, which helps to increase quality and yield potential.
Applications may be repeated at 21- to 28-day intervals. The shorter interval is recommended in cases of moderate pressure to breed diseases.
cropscience.bayer.ca/en/products/fungicides/minuet
Propulse
Bayer CropScience’s Propulse fungicide has been granted expanded registration for use on potatoes in Eastern Canada. Propulse has been used for several years against sclerotinia in beans and blueberries.
The combination of prothioconazole (Group 3) and fluopyram (Group 7) will allow potato growers to control alternaria blight, brown spot and sclerotinia, in addition to suppressing black dot.
Bayer says Propulse’s single dose of 750 ml/ha makes it easy to use. It is recommended to start Propulse applications preventively. After the first application, a second pass can be made 10-14 days later if conditions remain favourable for disease development. When disease pressure is severe, use the shorter intervals. Make sure the area to be treated is evenly covered because spray area coverage and canopy penetration are important to ensure optimum results.
cropscience.bayer.ca/Products/Fungicides
Emesto Complete
Bayer CropScience’s Emesto Complete is a new product that consists of a twin pack of Emesto Quantum (penflufen, Group 7, and clothianidin, Group 4A clothianidin) and Emesto Pro (prothioconazole, Group 3).
Emesto Quantum is a fungicide and insecticide for use on potato seed pieces to control certain diseases and insects. For fungal diseases, penflufen is active on seed-borne Rhizoctonia solani (black spot and stem and stolon canker) and Helminthosporium solani (silver spot). For additional protection against Rhizoctonia solani, which can be transmitted through the soil, an in-furrow fungicide is recommended in addition to the full Emesto application to the seed pieces. Emesto Quantum does not control bacterial diseases that may be present in seed. For insects, clothianidin controls Colorado potato beetle, aphids, flea beetles and leafhoppers.
Emesto Pro is a systemic fungicide that controls fusarium dry rot, but it does not control bacterial diseases that may be present in the seed (mole rot).
For optimal effectiveness against diseases and insects, good coverage of the seed piece is necessary. Apply the specified rate as a dilute spray using equipment that provides uniform coverage of each seed piece. It is also recommended not to apply more than 150 ml of mixture/100 kg of seed pieces, with application immediately after cutting. An absorbent is recommended to improve the suberization process.
Like any pesticide, it should be used as part of a total integrated approach to disease management. This includes cultural, mechanical and, where appropriate, other chemical techniques. These techniques include, but are not limited to, the use of high-quality seed, crop rotation, optimal planting and harvesting time, proper tuber handling, proper sanitation to reduce inoculum levels, and the use of post-harvest fungicide applications of alternative chemicals to reduce disease in storage.
cropscience.bayer.ca/Products/Seed-Treatments
Re-evaluation of products containing lambda-cyhalothrin: Voliam/Matador/Silencer/Warrior
Under the Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) periodically re-evaluates registered pesticides to ensure they meet current health and safety standards.
The PMRA has completed the re-evaluation of lambda-cyhalothrin and found it acceptable to maintain the registration of certain products containing it, with the imposition of additional risk-mitigation measures. However, the use of lambda-cyhalothrin is withdrawn for potato and some companies have decided to discontinue sale of their products for other uses.
Re-evaluation Decision RVD2021-04 (publications.gc.ca)
– This article was originally published in the 2023 edition of the Potato Guide.
