Horticentre - Horticultural Supplies Specialists New Zealand - For Growers, By Growers Horticentre TasmanCrop

‘Emergency Use Approval’ for the control of Potato Psyllids

(Active Ingredient: 240g/L spiromesifen)

Overview

Oberon has recently achieved an ‘Emergency Use Approval' and label claim for the control of the Potato Psyllid that caused such devastation to potato crops last season.
Oberon's unique new chemistry (IRAC group 23) and mode of action (inhibition of lipid biosynthesis) provides outstanding control of developmental stages (e.g. nymphs) but also has excellent effects on female adults, reducing their fecundity and the viability of eggs. Oberon has a moderate speed of action but provides long lasting residual activity.

General Information

Applied as either preventative or threshold treatment, Oberon will provide excellent long lasting residual control.

The mode of action of Oberon shows no cross-resistance to insecticides from other chemical classes, thus making it useful for insecticide as part of a resistance management programme.

Oberon acts by contact and ingestion (direct feeding), has excellent translaminar activity (it moves through the leaf - from the upper side to the underside of leaves) thus making it an effective option to control the more difficult to reach nymph stages that residue on the undersides of leaves on a potato crop.

The mode of action results in Oberon having an intermediate speed of knockdown, being slower acting than OP or SP insecticides. Monitoring of insect populations immediately after application will show minimal effect compared to four to ten days later when an excellent effect will be observed.

To minimise insect damage Oberon should be applied to a developing pest population rather than a crop already heavily infested with the pest. Used in this manner and with its long residual effect, excellent efficacy will be achieved.

Resistance Management

To achieve the best results, Oberon should be applied in blocks of two consecutive applications, seven days apart. This provides a reservoir of active ingredient in the plant which provides the long lasting efficacy.

No more than two applications of Oberon should be applied to any crop. If Movento is used early in the season a minimum of two blocks of different mode of action chemistry should be applied between the Oberon and Movento blocks.

It is recommended that blocks of insecticides of differing modes of action be utilised through the growing season, to provide best control and to minimise the risk of resistance developing.

Due to its translaminar and excellent residual activity it is recommended that Oberon be used mid-season once canopy growth has slowed.

Psyllids are usually found on the undersides of leaves on the lower half of the potato plant. To achieve complete coverage - up to 400 litres of water per hectare is recommended on mature crops.

Directions for Use

The use of Oberon in potatoes is subject to a Special Emergency Use and the following controls listed below

  • Oberon must be applied via ground based methods only.
  • The maximum application rate is 144g a.i./ha (600ml/ha), twice within the special emergency per crop with a minimum application interval of 7 days.
  • Oberon is to be restricted to potato crops.
  • Harmful to some beneficial insects - particularly some foliage dwelling predators which may be used in Integrated Pest Management.
  • The use of Oberon in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table is shallow, may result in the substance leaching into ground water.

Written notice will be given to all landowners/occupiers of adjacent properties, and places of common public assembly (e.g. schools, kindergartens, offices, etc.) located within 100 metres of the area to be sprayed. Notification will take place prior to the spraying, and include information on when spraying will occur, what is to be sprayed, and the method of spraying. The treatment sites will be under the authority of the authorised applicator and no public or unauthorised access will be permitted onto the site during treatment.

At the conclusion of the special emergency all stocks of unopened Oberon will be returned to the suppliers and will not be available for continued distribution, sale, or use. Partly used containers or any other remaining stock must be disposed of in accordance with the Hazardous Substances (Disposal) Regulations.

Compatibility

Can be tank-mixed with fungicides, knockdown insecticides and non-ionic surfactants.

Withholding Period

Potatoes 7 days.

Packaging

15L

DISCLAIMER:
This is not the OBERON label.
To view or print the label for this Potato registration, click on the "Label" link.
NB: this ‘Special Emergency Use' Label for potatoes MUST be read in conjunction with the following;
• ‘Special Emergency Use Information Sheet'
• ‘Oberon Leaflet' - Potatoes

Always follow label instructions.