Posted: March 25, 2009

Preliminary results confirming the widespread presence of the mutation of the fungus that causes potato early blight, Alternaria solani, suggest the disease will be less sensitive to the fungicides most often used to control it.

In a potato leaf sampling program conducted by Bayer CropScience in collaboration with provincial potato specialists, more than 80 percent of the 113 isolates collected tested positive for F129L, a mutation that results in reduced sensitivity to strobilurins fungicides. The program was conducted during the summer of 2008 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Prince Edward Island.

Reduced sensitivity doesn't mean strobilurins don't work at all, says a Bayer CropScience news release – they just don't work as well as they have in the past for controlling early blight. However, the message to potato growers is clear, says Andrew Dornan, Field Development Representative, Horticulture with Bayer CropScience.

"Develop a sound fungicide management plan to rotate product groups. Strobilurins are very susceptible to resistance, and we can't reverse the effects of the level of reduced sensitivity we are seeing with early blight, and growers need new effective options for early blight control."

For the full news release, click here.

Posted: March 25, 2009

The British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range has been issued a pesticide-use permit to aerial spray 329 hectares of primarily agricultural land on the road to Harrison Lake to eradicate a growing population of gypsy moths.

The ministry is planning up to four aerial applications of Foray 48B between April 25 and June 30, 2009 to control the moth. Foray 48B contains Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk). According to a Ministry of Forests and Range news release, Btk does not harm humans, mammals, birds, fish, plants, reptiles, amphibians, bees or other insects and only affects caterpillars after they have ingested it.

Trapping and monitoring results indicate a growing gypsy moth population south of the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, says the release. One hundred egg masses were found in the area, the highest amount ever found in one area in the province. The gypsy moth is an introduced pest species, with caterpillars that feed on tree leaves and that can damage forests, farms and orchards.

For more information, click here.

Posted: March 25, 2009

Syngenta Crop Protection Canada has issued two corrections to the 2009 Guide to Crop Protection for users of Axial herbicide and Quilt fungicide in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

According to a company news release, an error was printed on Page 90 for labelled tank mixes with Axial. The broadleaf products not on the Axial label are 2,4-D, Estaprop, Express Pack and Thumper. These products cannot be mixed with Axial due to the potential for crop injury. An error was also made on Page 282 for Quilt, which is registered on wheat and barley. The correct registered rate for this product when applied to wheat and barley is 304-405 ml/ac.

In order to correct the errors, Syngenta has produced stickers to apply to Page 90 and Page 282 of the 2009 Crop Protection Guide. Those who have a 2009 Crop Protection Guide and would like stickers with the correct information can contact Syngenta Customer Resource Services at 1-87-SYNGENTA (1-877-964-3682).