New chemistries always bring excitement and expectation. The two recently released products Kenja for Botrytis and Kusabi for powdery mildew control are especially good news for this country’s grape growers.
UPL NZ extends portfolio
New chemistries always bring excitement and expectation. And Pete de Jong, UPL NZ Ltd. Northern South Island Regional Manager says two recently released products are especially good news for this country’s grape growers.
The sustainable viticulture solutions provider has extended its portfolio with both Botrytis and powdery mildew in the crosshairs.
Against Botrytis with a difference
Kenja®, UPL’s new botryticide, has as its active isofetamid, a SDHI (Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor, FRAC code 7) fungicide - with a difference.
Pete explains isofetamid is in a new chemical group (phenyl-oxo-ethyl thiophene amide) of the SDHI mode of action group. Isofetamid has a unique molecular structure, which enables the active to remain effective against some fungal isolates that have developed resistance to other SDHI fungicides. “Fungicide resistance and how to manage it is something that’s been a major issue for grape growers in New Zealand.”
Isofetamid exhibits excellent activity against a range of fungi but is especially effective on Botrytis. Pete says the foliar fungicide works by inhibiting fungal respiration. “Kenja has a strong translaminar action in grapevine tissues, with high protectant activity for lasting vine protection. It also has the distinct advantage of excellent rain fastness.”
Another important aspect of Kenja is its compatibility with IPM. “Isofetamid has no known negative impacts on beneficial insects and mites. With IPM an increasingly important part of vineyard life and management that’s another big tick for the new product.”
Crushing powdery mildew
Like Botrytis, which can result in large crop losses, powdery mildew is another economically significant disease in grapes. Introduced by UPL last season, Kusabi® gives effective powdery mildew control, and is an additional tool in helping manage this disease in grapes. Pete, says there is no known resistance in New Zealand to pyriofenone, the active in Kusabi. Pyriofenone works by inhibiting lesion formation, mycelium growth and sporulation, halting powdery mildew infection. “It’s a product with excellent preventative activity.”
Using a strong translaminar action, Kusabi moves through the plant resulting in distribution within the leaf surface and from one side of the leaf to the other.
Pete says another of Kusabi’s strengths is its superior vapour activity, which ensures the active reaches all areas which could be infected by powdery mildew and where the plant most needs protection.
“Combine that with a withholding period of 65 days, which moves application closer to harvest, and you’ve got a potent and flexible tool in a powdery mildew programme.”
Orchestrated beautifully - Kusabi following Flute
Pete recommends using Kusabi in a fungicide program with Flute® (cyflufenamid) featuring unique chemistry and proven over years of use in New Zealand. “Use Flute early mid-season and Kusabi at pre-bunch closure.”
Like Kusabi, Flute works using strong translaminar movement and a powerful vapour action, hitting the powdery mildew pathogen at all five critical stages of its lifecycle. Flute is the only fungicide in the U6 mode of action group.
Caused by the fungus Erysiphe necator, powdery mildew can be a problem in vineyards throughout New Zealand - tainting crops, impacting grape quality, and (worst case scenario) resulting in wineries rejecting crops.
Pete says while most growers are keenly aware of the importance of fungicide resistance management strategies, and good vineyard hygiene, new chemistries allow them greater options to build even more robust programmes.
He says UPL NZ has long had a strong focus on sustainability, and protecting new and existing chemistries, to help strengthen and grow the grape and wine industries in New Zealand. “It’s in everyone’s interests.”
