While last season’s dry conditions didn’t provide as much of a Botrytis or powdery mildew challenge as in some previous seasons, keeping on top of spray programmes is still vital.
UPL’s comprehensive toolbox protects vineyards
Weather patterns are difficult to forecast, even for meteorologists. While last season’s dry conditions didn’t provide as much of a Botrytis or powdery mildew challenge as in some previous seasons, keeping on top of spray programmes is still vital.
Ryan Pierce, Regional Sales Manager Lower North Island UPL NZ Ltd., says most grape growers have rigorous programmes, which are in-step with what the wineries and markets demand. But, he says, there’s always room to improve.
New Kenja Botryticide delivers
Ryan says an interesting aspect to the drier conditions this past season is that they can lead to a higher residue profile on grapes at vintage. With Kenja, UPL NZ’s new botryticide, however, residues that were well below export thresholds were reported. He says this is an important aspect for the use of Kenja in wine. There’s still the need for caution. “Always adhering to the label on products is important.”
Launched last season, the new botryticide contains isofetamid, a SDHI (Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor, FRAC code 7) fungicide. Isofetamid is from a new chemical group (ethyl thiophene amide) within the SDHI mode of action group. Isofetamid’s unique molecular structure enables the active to remain effective against some fungal isolates that have developed resistance to other SDHI fungicides. Ryan says this is a major step towards addressing fungicide resistance. “It’s something that’s been a major issue for grape growers and, actually, all growers, in New Zealand.”
He says UPL NZ has 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.”
Isofetamid exhibits excellent activity against a range of fungi but is especially effective on Botrytis. Ryan 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. IPM is an increasingly important part of vineyard life and management so that’s another big tick for the new product.”
Powerful powdery mildew protection with Kusabi and Flute
Like Botrytis, powdery mildew is an economically significant disease in grapes. Introduced two seasons ago, Kusabi gives effective powdery mildew control. Ryan 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. And it has excellent preventative activity. Using a translaminar action, Kusabi moves within the plant delivering effective protection. Ryan says another Kusabi strength is vapour activity so the active reaches all areas which could be infected by powdery mildew.
“Combine that with a withholding period of 65 days, which moves application closer to harvest, and you’ve got an efficacious, flexible tool in a powdery mildew programme.”
Ryan 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 has 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.
A fungal disease, powdery mildew can be a problem in vineyards throughout New Zealand - tainting crops, impacting grape quality, and (at its worst) resulting in wineries rejecting crops. By using both Flute and Kusabi as separate powdery mildew sprays growers are utilising two different chemical groups, which in return helps with fungicide resistance management.
For more information, click here: Kenja, Kusabi and Flute
