Chemical company BASF has advised growers that using Signum could raise standards of protection against chocolate spot in winter and spring field beans.

Approved for control against the chocolate spot last year, Signum contains pyraclostrobin and boscalid and is seen as scientific breakthrough, according to the company. It can offer protection against winter beans’ two most prevalent diseases, chocolate spot and rust, and BASF says it gives greater persistence compared to other fungicides.

The company advise the use Signum at early flowering for protectant control of the two diseases and warn that current humid conditions could encourage the rapid onset infection.

John Young, BASF Peas and Beans Product Manager said: “Fungicide treatments for chocolate spot are protectant in their activity and so it is important to keep a close eye on crop symptoms and be prepared to act quickly.”

Rust can often become a threat towards the end of flowering, or there can be early signs of rust activity in the crop at this time, according to the company. “In this case, completing the spray programme with Caramba or Sunorg Pro fits the bill because of their stronger curative activity on rust,” said Young.

Signum come in a water dispersible granule and up to two applications can be made with a harvest interval of 21 days. In addition to spring and winter field beans, Signum is also approved for use in outdoor and protected strawberries, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots and outdoor and protected lettuce.

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