The Chemicals Regulation Directorate has granted specific off-label approval (SOLA) for the use of Cercobin WG on protected tomato crops.

The SOLA application was instigated by independent agronomist Derek Hargreaves when he became concerned about severe vascular wilt on crops he saw. Such diseases have once again become a problem since the withdrawal of carbendazim nearly two years ago.

Hargreaves said: “It is a severe disease with potential yield losses running into seven figures, providing a clear role for Cercobin WG to growers.”

The British Tomato Growers' Association (TGA) and the Horticultural Development Company (HDC) have worked together to support the SOLA application for the treatment of vascular wilt disease, including verticillium wilt and fusarium wilt, on tomatoes. The TGA’s Gerry Hayman said: “We were in the situation of having no effective treatment for vascular wilt diseases. It offers a lifeline to producers left, with no chemical control options for these serious yield-robbing infections."

Cercobin WG can be applied to target the disease at the base of the plant, using either conventional application or drip irrigation systems and using a water volume of 200-300 litres of water/ha. The off-label notice provides further information regarding recommendations for tomato growers about the product’s extension of use.

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