New withholding period
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has recently approved a new maximum residue limit (MRL) for difenoconazole in grapes and a new label withholding period. The ‘Dog book’ recommendation for difenoconazole (Digger) use on grapes destined for export wine is ‘Use no later than E-L 29, berries pepper-corn size (not > 4 mm diameter)’. The label withholding period is 28 days. It is recommended that you check your winery or grape purchaser’s restriction on use for difenoconazole prior to application.
New formulation and target
POTASSIUM BICARBONATE AND POTASSIUM SILICATE
APVMA 83204
‘EcoCarb Plus’ is an Organic Crop Protectants Pty Ltd product.
‘EcoCarb Plus’ is registered for control of powdery mildew and suppression of downy mildew in grapevines. It is an activity group M2 fungicide.
Recommended restriction on use (withholding period) for grapes destined for export wine: Use no later than 7 days before harvest.
Powdery mildew resistance management strategy
CropLife Australia has updated the resistance management strategy for powdery mildew. The new strategy clarifies the requirements around consecutive applications of Group 7 and 11 fungicides. Group 7 and 11 fungicides should only be applied consecutively when used in a mixture or co-formulated with a registered, alternative mode of action for which resistance is not known. The new strategy can be found on page 19 of the ‘Dog book’ pdf.
Prosper 500 EC re-entry period
The re-entry period for powdery mildew fungicide spiroxamine (Prosper 500 EC) has changed and now includes re-entry periods for certain unprotected work activities in grapevines. Some of these re-entry requirements, where personal protective equipment (PPE) is not worn, are of significant length and need to be considered as part of the planning for post-spraying farming activities.
The revised re-entry period statement on the Prosper label (where PPE is not worn):
For treated grapevines, do not allow entry into treated areas for the following times to conduct the stated activities:
- Transplanting, hand weeding, hand pruning, trellis repair, bird control, propagating and scouting: Do not allow entry into treated areas until the spray has dried.
- Tying/training, leaf pulling, hand harvesting: 11 days
- Girdling (cincturing), bunch turning: 16 days
The specific PPE required for workers to undertake these tasks prior to the re-entry periods stipulated is cotton overalls buttoned to the neck and wrist (or equivalent clothing) and gauntlet-length chemical-resistant gloves.
The ‘Dog book’ resources available online including the pdf and search facility have been updated to reflect the changes listed in this eBulletin. The app will be updated on 26 August. Users of agrochemicals are reminded to read and follow all label directions.
For more information, please contact Marcel Essling on 08 8313 6600 or email helpdesk@awri.com.au.
This information is provided to inform the Australian grape and wine sector and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any product.