X

Enquire Now

Even tight grape bunches no match for super spreader Du-Wett

Date: 04 Nov 2024 | Author: UPL NZ

Tags: Coverage Spread grapes disease control Botrytis Fluazinam Du-Wett Super spreader rainfastness Du-Wett WeatherMax

Grape vines

Du-Wett will make a difference at critical periods in the fight against Botrytis, particularly, at the flowering/berry stage and once the grapes are formed.

Get the best from fluazinam, and halt Botrytis

The industry is in broad agreement on the importance of using spreaders to achieve effective grape coverage with Group 29 fungicides (containing fluazinam) for optimum grape protection. 

David Lingan, Adjuvant Product Manager for sustainable agricultural solutions provider UPL NZ Ltd, is onboard with that. But he says it’s not a matter of one size fitting all. “There are spreaders and then there are super spreaders.”

Du-Wett is the latter. An organosilicone blend, rather than a pure organosilicone, Du-Wett enhances the spreading and foliage deposition of fungicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators and nutrients. It also has an excellent crop safety profile. “To make the most of the fungicides, avoid waste, and get optimal performance and superior coverage, adding a super spreader makes really sound economic sense.”


Making THE difference

David says Du-Wett will make a difference at critical periods in the fight against Botrytis, particularly, at the flowering/berry stage and once the grapes are formed.

“Grapes, at fairly much all stages, are really difficult to wet. And you need that extra coverage and contact when you’re paying good money for your spray programme. Fluazinam products are vital, but they can’t do it all by themselves. To make the most of them, you need to ensure they get where they’re going to be most effective. Everyone is looking at the bottom line and a super spreader means you’re going to optimise not only the value from the spray but also the yield and quality of your harvest.”

Group 29 fungicides containing the active fluazinam are vitally important in vineyards. Used in rotation with other fungicides, they keep the twin threats of Botrytis and powdery mildew at bay. Botrytis, especially, can significantly impact grape crops. Fluazinam works by disrupting the energy production in the cells of the fungi, which results in cell death. Importantly, it is also a multi-site, which reduces the risk of resistance developing, helping protect existing chemistry.


Optimising fluazinam fungicides with Du-Wett

Du-Wett optimises fluazinam’s reach and makes it more targeted by reducing the surface tension of the spray droplets. This delivers superior coverage of the grapes and helps ensure the active is delivered – even in tight bunches. David says one spray droplet containing Du-Wett can provide significant spread of active compared to spray applied without an adjuvant and at least 6 times1 compared to a conventional, non-ionic adjuvant. By decreasing spray drift by up to 25%, Du-Wett reduces waste, increases efficiency, and lessens the risk of unintended environmental consequences. 

“You get higher retention of the fungicide and reduce drift from having less spray water volume. It also means fewer passes and less time refilling – that can be really important, especially if you have a large block or a distance between blocks. It also improves coverage through more even spray droplet spread, distribution, and adhesion; courtesy of the super-spreading ability of Du-Wett spreading the film, not high water volumes."

David says using much lower water rates makes spraying faster, meaning less time in the vineyard, and reduced re-filling and travelling. That cuts down fuel use and labour.

For peace of mind, when there is wet weather coming, David says to simply substitute Du-Wett with Du-Wett WeatherMAX to provide excellent rainfastness whilst giving the same benefit of spread and coverage as Du-Wett.

Industry pioneers, UPL NZ (former Etec Crop Solutions) have been working on adjuvants in this country for more than two decades ago.  They have a portfolio of over 20 adjuvants. Du-Wett is one of their successful discoveries and is backed by years of dedicated research and development. 

For more information click here: Du-Wett Super-Spreader and Du-Wett WeatherMAX

Share this article