Potato blight fungicide Valbon has been granted an extension to its specific off-label approval (SOLA) by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) for use on outdoor crops of bulb onions, shallots and garlic.
The off-label comes in time to help tackle the disease in this year’s downy mildew fungicide programmes which kick off this month.
The SOLA has been granted following Valbon’s re-registration, as part of the ongoing EU pesticide review process, continuing growers’ access to an effective fungicide against downy mildew. The fungicide contains benthiavalicarb and mancozeb.
Certis’ technical officer Alan Horgan said: “It is particularly advantageous given the increasing disease pressures following this recent warm showery weather that is ideal for spreading of infection,” he said.
Horgan notes that Valbon has been successfully used in potato crops for the control of late blight as well as having an extension for use in ornamental and amenity vegetation against downy mildew.
Horgan added: “The changes to the off-label for Valbon means growers have to focus their minds and consider carefully its use within a programme. In onion crops in particular - programmes run from June onwards every week - with anything from six to nine sprays being applied depending on the season as it develops."
Application can be made in a minimum of 200 litres water per hectare by conventional hydraulic sprayers including air assisted hydraulic sprayers and hand held sprayers.
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