2017 - How To Use Multi-site Chemicals To Protect Lifespan Of Partner Fungicides
With disease resistance threatening the future efficacy of SDHI fungicides, and the curative effect of azoles being eroded, growers need to use multi-site fungicides to protect and prolong the Septoria arsenal.
Septoria resistance to SDHI fungicides has been well documented in recent months, with a clear message that the future efficacy of these chemicals is under severe threat. The alarm bells are also ringing for azoles such as prothioconazole and epoxiconazole: over the last 10 years the curative effect of products such as these has fallen by a staggering 60% or more.
Growers therefore need to act now to protect the Septoria toolbox – not just for this season, but for future years as well.
Protecting SDHIs and azoles is simple to achieve: early season applications of a multi-site fungicide gives greater emphasis to protecting against Septoria and reduces the reliance on curative, ‘at threat’ chemistries.
Multi-site fungicides, such as folpet, affect a number of different metabolic sites within a pathogen and provide excellent levels of disease prevention. Multi-sites should be used as the foundation for a stacked sequence of sprays, and should be reapplied throughout the season to provide effective protection to each emerging new leaf: to get the best results, a multi-site active should be applied prior to stem extension at T0 and again at T1 to protect the newly emerged leaf 3. If disease pressures remain high, folpet can also be applied at T2 to combat fresh and spreading infections.