Features Fungicides Seed & Chemical
What’s new in pest control?

Just prior to press-time for each issue of Top Crop Manager, we contact
agricultural suppliers for information on new pesticide registrations and other
news. New products offer opportunities for pest control. But remember, many
other well-proven products are still on the market. Registration status may
change between press-time and season of use. Top Crop Manager advises
producers to check labels and provincial pest control manuals carefully.

New entry
Alias 240 EC systemic insecticide is a new alternative to the currently registered
imidacloprid product (Admire). It is registered to control a wide range of insects
including Colorado potato beetle, aphids, leafhoppers and flea beetles on potatoes,
tomatoes and lettuce. The manufacturer, Makhteshim-Agan of North America (MANA),
sells the product through United Agri Products.

Use continues for wireworm control
The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has re-evaluated the registration
of phorate, the Thimet 15G soil and systemic granular insecticide, to control
wireworms in potato crops.

The wireworm problem on potatoes continues to be extensive, especially where
potatoes are planted in fields that were previously planted with grass or grain
crops. Adequate alternative management strategies are not yet available; therefore,
the PMRA is prepared to extend the dates of last sale and last use by one additional
year for Thimet 15G soil and systemic insecticide granular.

Consequently, the revised dates for registration of this product are:

• Last date of sale by the registrant: 31 December 2006.
• Last date of sale by distributors or retailers: 1 May 2007.
• Last date for use by end users: 1 August 2007.

The PMRA says it will continue to work with stakeholders to develop a transition
strategy for management of wireworm in potatoes through a joint risk reduction
program with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

By air in west
Potato growers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta can now apply Assail insecticide
by air to control Colorado potato beetles and aphids. The registration gives
growers the flexibility to choose the application method best suited to their
individual operations.

Research shows Assail provides residual control for up to two weeks on adult
Colorado potato beetles and for up to three weeks on the larvae. It also has
effective residual control on aphids of seven to 10 days. Assail provides both
contact and systemic activity. It belongs to the neonicotinoid class of insecticides.

Aerial applications
Users of Bayer CropScience's Reason foliar fungicide may now use it in
aerial applications to control early and late blight. The product has systemic
and translaminar activity and its label calls for it to be applied in a tank-mix
with a contact fungicide to provide multiple modes of action. As a Group 2 fungicide,
it should be used in alternate applications with other group products to limit
the possibility of resistance.

New inclusion
The fungicide Scala now includes early blight on its label. The product
also provides control of botrytis and brown spot, says Bayer CropScience.

Now in dust
The insecticide/fungicide combination Genesis XT from Bayer CropScience
is available in a dust formulation as a dry, fungicidal seed treatment for potatoes
that also controls insects. Length of control of insects will depend on the
rate used: a high rate extends the length of the control period.

Imidacloprid is the active insecticide ingredient in Genesis XT and is the
first and most powerful member of the chloronicotinyl class of chemistry (Group
4). Imidacloprid works systemically in plants, moving through roots and shoots
to foliage to control insects through ingestion.

Mancozeb and thiophanete-methyl are proven disease control products that protect
against key tuber diseases. The unique combination treatment in Genesis XT provides
protection from both fusarium (dry rot) and rhizoctonia (black scurf and stolon
canker) when used at the recommended rates.

The company advises users to rotate the use of Genesis XT or other Group 4
insecticides and Groups 1 and M fungicides with different groups that control
the same insects or pathogens.

More choice
BASF has announced label additions to its fungicides Headline and Lance.
Both of these products may now be aerial applied and they can be tank-mixed
with Polyram or Bravo for control of late blight.