Bayer CropScience has registered Oberon, a new solution for the dual control of whitefly and spider mite for use on protected tomatoes.

The product, marketed in the UK by Certis, is from the new group of ketoenols chemicals and uses a new mode-of-action. It contains the active ingredient spiromesifen and is safe to beneficial organisms.

Graham Jenner, horticultural campaign manager at Bayer CropScience, said registration of Oberson is initially restricted to tomatoes, but is likely to be extended to other salad, vegetable and ornamental crops in future.

Oberon delivers a new mode-of-action that is a different mechanism to existing controls so there is no cross-resistance. "It’s a valuable addition to the pesticide armoury where a high degree of resistance to other chemical classes has been developed by spider mite and whitefly species," he said.

Peter Hingley, general manager of Certis, added that the UK is the first country in Europe to gain registration for Oberon. "It’s an

insecticide with an excellent fit into integrated pest management programmes."

Oberon re-addresses the balance between prey and predators following application. Pollinators are also unaffected once the spray deposit has dried on the plant, or if they are not actively foraging. It has a favourable environmental profile and good plant compatibility.

It is most active on the larvae and juvenile stages of the pests.

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