Get serious about your approach to Botrytis management

Transcription

1 Australia Get serious about your approach to Botrytis management Botrytis is an opportunistic pathogen which can develop on damaged tissue, such as that caused by Light Brown Apple Moth or LBAM (Epiphyas postvittana). Effective LBAM control is an integral part of any Botrytis management program. When getting serious about your approach to Botrytis management and LBAM control, one of the most important factors to consider is your approach s effect on beneficials - you want it to be as soft as possible. There are several species of beneficial insects that are of interest to grape growers in terms of managing some key pests in vineyards.

2 Mallada signatus is one of the most common Green Lacewings which are active in grapevines from late spring to autumn. Green Lacewings will attack and eat almost any small insects or eggs, the juveniles prey on aphids, mites, scales, mealybugs, small caterpillars and moth eggs. Trichogramma carverae or Trichogramma wasp are minute wasps which lay their eggs into the eggs of various lepidoptera pests. The favoured host eggs of Trichogramma in grapevines are those of LBAM and Heliothis (Helicoverpa armigera and H. punctigera). Hippodamia variegata is a predatory ladybird common in a wide range of crops. Both the adults and juveniles are predators of aphids, small caterpillars and moth eggs. Stethorus sp. are mite-eating ladybirds that prey on Two-Spotted Mites and European Red Mites. Both the larvae and adult beetles feed on all stages of mites and their eggs. Research has shown that Syngenta s PROCLAIM results in minimal disruption to these key beneficial species. Studies undertaken by an independent Australian IPM research facility assessed PROCLAIM on a number of common vineyard beneficial insects (Table 2). Laboratory bioassays determined the effects of direct spraying and the effects of the insecticides fecundity / reproduction of various beneficial insects. In order to be confident that an insecticide is truly harmless to a beneficial species, it is important to consider the effects of the insecticide on reproduction of the species. PROCLAIM has low impact on the reproduction of important beneficial species whilst providing effective control of LBAM.

3 By controlling LBAM, you can eliminate potential problems of Botrytis. Botrytis infection in grape bunches is often assisted by the presence of LBAM which damages the berries while feeding, providing an ideal entry site for the fungus. The LBAM webbing within bunches acts as a net to catch debris, including discarded flower caps, which can become a source of Botrytis inoculum as the bunch develops and the berries ripen. Applying a robust Botrytis fungicide before bunch closure is critical in any effective Botrytis management program. This is the latest growth stage at which sprays can be expected to penetrate the developing bunches, reducing the impact of Botrytis that may develop as the fruit ripens. SWITCH can be applied up to E-L 29 (berries peppercorn size) and PROCLAIM up to E-L 31 (pre-bunch closure). Please note that it is

4 important to refer to the Australian Wine Research Institute Dog Book and individual winery controls for further details. Protects and penetrates for serious Botrytis control. SWITCH offers Flexibility with application at either 80% capfall or E-L 29 growth stage Outstanding penetration + protection with two active ingredients Built in resistance management with two different modes of action Acts at four different sites of disease development PROCLAIM offers Compatible with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs Flexible application timing, up to E-L 31 Reliable performance

5 SWITCH and PROCLAIM together defend your bunches by protecting them from Botrytis and LBAM attacking Botrytis from two angles.