Stellar residual and ROI with MIRAVIS® Star fungicide

From pulses to canola, MIRAVIS^® Star fungicide has proven its worth in recent seasons. It delivers extended protection against diseases and a strong return on investment.

Trial work has demonstrated up to six weeks of protection in pulse crops, giving growers a substantial improvement on existing options.

Dependable pulse crop protection

MIRAVIS^® Star offers exceptional protection against key pulse foliar diseases. It is registered in:

• Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Field peas
• Vetch
• Faba beans

MIRAVIS^® Star is a unique co-formulation of two active ingredients:

• Group 7 (pydiflumetofen)
• Group 12 (fludioxonil)

It has demonstrated outstanding efficacy against;

• Ascochyta Blight
• Sclerotinia
• Chocolate Spot
• Botrytis Rot
• Cercospora Leaf Spot

Trial results show excellent control with both aerial and ground applications. This gives farmers flexibility in their application methods.

"The extended residual activity of MIRAVIS^® Star is a game-changer for pulse farmers. It allows for better timing of applications and potentially reduces the number of sprays needed throughout the season," Syngenta Technical Services Lead Ashley Pilkington said. 

“This extended control is attributed to pydiflumetofen's strong absorption into the leaf's waxy layer, which allows for longer lasting protection of the plant while the active moves into the leaf.” 

Best timing for application

Ashley believes MIRAVIS^® Star works best when applied at canopy closure. This is a critical stage for disease prevention in pulse crops.

“This timing, combined with the product's long-lasting effects, provides growers with a powerful tool for managing disease pressure during crucial growth stages” he said. 

Strong value proposition

MIRAVIS^® Star offers excellent value to growers. “The long residual activity of the actives at a cost of less than $10 per hectare per week is a very good return on investment for growers”. 

The fungicide also works well with other crop protection products. This allows easy integration into existing spray programs.

Crop safety has been a key focus in developing MIRAVIS^® Star. It ensures minimal risk to the crop while maximising disease control.

Flexible use rates

To accommodate various disease pressure scenarios, MIRAVIS^® Star offers a flexible use rate ranging from 250 mL to 1 L per hectare, with 500mL to 750mL/ha common use rates in the field depending on potential disease pressure. 

This adaptability allows farmers to tailor their approach based on specific field conditions and disease forecasts. 

Canola trial shows strong return on investment

MIRAVIS^® Star delivered impressive results in Western Australia during 2023. The canola trial was conducted by Living Farm on behalf of Syngenta in Frankland River.

Trial results at a glance:

• Application rate: 750mL/ha at 20% flower stage
• Yield increase: 290kg/ha above untreated control
• Return on investment: $141/ha

The standard Prosaro* treatment at 450mL/ha yielded 160kg/ha over the untreated control. This provided a $71/ha return. The difference highlights the superior performance of MIRAVIS^® Star.

Strategic application approach

Ben Parkin is the Western Australian-based Syngenta Technical Services Lead. He emphasised the importance of strategic fungicide application in maximising yields.

"As we've seen in these trials, using Tebuconazole + Prothioconazole at an earlier timing helps continue the early protection. This builds on the protection established with SALTRO^® Duo seed treatment. Then come back with MIRAVIS^® Star," Parkin explained.

"This rotation is proving particularly effective in medium to high rainfall production systems."

Extended protection benefits

One standout feature of MIRAVIS^® Star is its extended residual action. This has proven invaluable in unpredictable weather conditions.

Many growers reported that a single application of MIRAVIS^® Star was sufficient. It carried their crops through the season. This eliminated the need for a second fungicide treatment.

MIRAVIS^® Star has demonstrated superior compatibility compared to other SDHI fungicides, with reduced phytotoxicity. This compatibility is particularly beneficial for growers who combine fungicide applications with nitrogen treatments at the 10-20% flower stage. 

Resistance management

The trial results underscore the importance of following resistance management strategies. In line with CropLife recommendations:

• Limit SDHI fungicide applications to a maximum of two per crop
• Rotate with different modes of action

MIRAVIS^® Star presents a compelling option for Australian canola growers. It helps protect yield potential under varying conditions. With proven performance in trials and commercial applications, it has positioned itself as an essential tool in disease management.

Advisors interested in using MIRAVIS^® Star are encouraged to speak with their local Syngenta representative.

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