Coverage and rainfastness of autumn sprays to combat European canker in pipfruit trees can be improved by adding Bond Xtra to the tank-mix.
Improving leaf scar treatments
Coverage and rainfastness of autumn sprays to combat European canker in pipfruit trees can be improved by adding Bond Xtra to the tank-mix.
There are several widely-used products with captan as the active ingredient which are used for this important seasonal task. David Lingan, Adjuvant Product Manager for UPL NZ, says captan is an effective active ingredient but it has an Achilles’ heel – a lack of rainfastness and coverage.
“The weather-vulnerability of captan products present challenges during the autumn period, ironically when it’s most likely to be needed,” says David. “It’s a time when rain is likely in many apple growing regions. No one wants to waste product, time, and resources, or leave their trees at risk of infection during the leaf-fall period.”
European canker a devastating disease
Severe European canker infections can cause the loss of whole trees and even entire orchards.
“It’s a devastating fungal tree disease and possibly the worst thing is that infections can sneak up on you and are probably not going to be noticeable until the following spring. You can’t afford to gamble with European canker.
“That’s where Bond Xtra can help. As an organosilicone super-spreader and sticker, it helps optimise spray use, encouraging the product’s deposition and retention on trees to improve its ability to protect the trees from infection.”
Bond Xtra with a myriad of benefits
Bond Xtra is rainfast once fully dry and improves deposition, spreading, coverage, and retention, and reduces spray drift.
“You get more active on target that spreads, sticks and stays to give prolonged protection – and that’s what you want, especially for hard-to-reach branch joins and fruit spurs. It takes away a bit of stress for growers when worker and equipment availability is stretched, and other varieties may still be being harvested.”
The other advantages of using Bond Xtra in the tank-mix for autumn European canker sprays are:
• It allows the use of lower water rates which increases spraying speed and time, and reduces the number of tank refills and fuel use.
• There is less waste from wash-off of spray because it’s better adhered to the target.
• The spread of the applied spray is three to five times1 greater than with non-ionic surfactants as the adjuvant.
David recommends orchardists continue to be vigilant against signs of European canker infection. “Walk the orchard regularly and tag any trees showing symptoms so these can be removed and burned.”
For more information on Bond Xtra, click here.
