SWITCH® fungicide registration targets Alternaria in apples
With Alternaria, it can be hard to see those first few small spots in an apple orchard. But it only takes several days of warm and wet weather for a few spots to explode into serious disease. SWITCH® fungicide is now registered in Australia for suppression of Alternaria leaf and fruit blotch in apples, thanks to the significant support of Hort Innovation Australia through trial work. It combines two unique active ingredients – cyprodinil (Group 9) and fludioxonil (Group 12) – with two totally different modes of action, for disease protection and resistance management.
“Up until now there’s been very limited fungicide options for Alternaria in apples” said Syngenta Viticulture and Fruit Product Lead, Scott Mathew.
Alternaria leaf and fruit blotch is a potential problem in all Australia’s apple growing regions but is more frequently an issue in Queensland and New South Wales. The pathogen that causes Alternaria leaf and fruit blotch is always present and can develop from mid to late season, depending on environmental conditions.
What starts out as a few spots in late spring, can quickly become full-blown disease with warm and wet weather in mid-summer. If no fungicides are applied, significant yield and quality losses can occur. Leaf lesions can cause leaf yellowing and premature defoliation, reducing tree health and productivity. Fruit blotch can severely reduce quality and render fruit unmarketable. Early control is key to ensure Alternaria leaf and fruit blotch does not take hold in an orchard.
“Apply SWITCH® fungicide mid to late season, prior to disease onset when the conditions are conducive to disease development,” said Mr Mathew.
“Repeat applications at 7-to-14 day intervals if conditions remain favourable for disease development”.
“SWITCH® fungicide has got two modes of action in the one product, and it attacks and stops disease at four different sites of infection” said Mr Mathew.
“The fludioxonil component is a protectant that stays on the outside of leaves and fruit and prevents Alternaria spores from germinating and penetrating plant tissue”.
“The cyprodinil component is a systemic fungicide that penetrates the leaf and fruit tissue. If Alternaria has been able to penetrate past the fludioxonil, the cyprodinil component is there to finish it off and prevent disease from developing.”
With two totally different modes of action, SWITCH® fungicide is a valuable tool for resistance management. This makes it a standout in the market compared to other products that only have one active ingredient.
“The combination of two actives makes SWITCH® fungicide a really sound resistance management product to use in Australian apple orchards,” said Mr Mathew.
“For fungicide resistance management rotate SWITCH® fungicide with registered products containing other mode of actions, including Group 3 DMIs and Group 7s”.
Rainfast within 2 hours of application, SWITCH® fungicide gives growers the flexibility to get applications out when wet weather is forecast during warm periods to suppress Alternaria before it takes hold in an orchard.
As per the SWITCH® fungicide label, do not apply more than three applications of SWITCH® fungicide per crop and do not apply any post-harvest treatment which contains fludioxonil such as SCHOLAR® fungicide.
As both SWITCH® fungicide and SCHOLAR® post-harvest fungicide contain fludioxonil, they cannot be used in the same program. If targeting Alternaria during the season, use SWITCH® fungicide for in-field applications. If Blue mould and grey mould are more serious threats during fruit storage, do not apply SWITCH® fungicide during the season, instead use SCHOLAR® fungicide as a post-harvest treatment.
For more information about SWITCH® fungicide speak to your local Syngenta representative or visit www.syngenta.com.au/switch.
SWITCH® fungicide for use in apples for the suppression of alternaria leaf and fruit blotch was an outcome of Hort Innovation project ST17000.
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