Thursday, February 16, 2012

Joint pesticide registration

I am heartened by the news that Luna, a new fungicide from Bayer CropScience, is gaining near-simultaneous registrations in the United States and Canada and a number of other nations.

Luna gained approval earlier this week from the U.S. States Environmental Protection Agency. Canada is expected to follow in May, says Craig Hunter, pesticide specialist for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.


Bayer says “Luna fungicides have a unique chemistry and systemic mode of action that provides unprecedented control of some of the most problematic fungal diseases to help growers deliver the best possible fruits, nuts and vegetables.”

It provides systemic control of Alternaria blights, scab, powdery mildew and white mould.
Bayer says it has “demonstrated improvements in long-term tree health and on fruit quality and storability.’

It comes from a new chemical class that maintains control where other products are failing.

Hunter says it will be used in combination with other fungicides because that will delay, if not eliminate, the risk that resistant fungi will emerge.

Hunter explained that Luna has a new mode of action, so fungi with genetic resistance to that new mode of action would need to emerge. But if they do, they will be hit with the other fungicides in the tank mix.

“The chances of two types of resistance emerging simultaneously are remote,” he said.

Bayer applied for approval in a number of countries at the same time, adopting an approach long urged by farmers who want to remain competitive in global markets.

Hunter said the registrations in the U.S. and Canada carry the same standards for residues “ so with potatoes, for example, there will be free movement across the border.”

"The horticultural market has the highest value crops attracting top dollar in markets around the world,” said Herb Young, product manager at Bayer CropScience.

“With so much money on the line, growers need solutions that will help them overcome problematic disease and resistance issues," he said.

The Luna portfolio includes three solutions -- Luna Sensation, Luna Tranquility and Luna Experience -- each of which includes dual modes of action.

Bayer says these brands are uniquely designed to address the specific needs of individual crops as follows:

In apples, Luna Sensation helps to keep crops disease-free and ensures that the fruit's high quality will be maintained through storage and transport.
Trees treated with Luna Sensation will hold leaves longer and have greatly reduced inoculum levels the following season. 


In his research, Dr. Keith Yoder, Virginia Tech University, found that Luna Sensation not only provided excellent powdery mildew and scab control on apples, but virtually eliminated primary powdery mildew outbreak the following spring. 


For potatoes, Luna Tranquility offers the broadest spectrum of disease control on the market while also increasing yield.
The product is highly effective broadcast or through chemigation in controlling white mold, black dot, the entire early blight complex, including Botrytis and brown spot. 


Dr. Jeff Miller, Miller Research, found that when Luna Tranquility is used with potatoes, white mold and early blight control have been outstanding. Luna was very effective on key diseases when applied through chemigation. 


In watermelons, Luna Experience is effective against Strobilurin and Boscalid-resistant strains providing excellent Gummy stem blight control where other products are failing.
Luna offers growers effective disease control at nearly half the rate of current industry standards.
Dr. David Langston, The University of Georgia, found that Luna Experience offered greater control of Gummy stem blight in watermelon than all other solutions in his trials. 
For cherries, Luna Sensation helps growers deliver high-quality fruit at harvest and in transit protecting against powdery mildew, cherry leaf spot, brown rot blossom blight and fruit rot and various post-harvest rots.
Dr. Jay Pscheidt and John Bassinette of Oregon State University conducted trials of Luna Sensation against powdery mildew. After six applications, from start of petal fall to preharvest, Luna Sensation outperformed all other solutions within the trial.