New option for consistent, long lasting control of

Facts
Issue 247, September 2016
New option for consistent, long lasting
control of downy mildew
New chemistry for the control of downy
mildew in onions will provide growers with
an unmatched combination of consistency
and long lasting control of the disease.
DuPont™ Zorvec® Enicade® fungicide is
now registered in New Zealand and should
be utilised as part of a preventative spray
programme in rotation with other approved
fungicides. It is being released at a time
when onion producers in New Zealand are
looking for a new tool to assist in downy
mildew control.
DuPont Crop Protection Australia-New
Zealand sales manager, Mark Christie, says
the launch of Zorvec Enicade in New Zealand
provides growers with a product designed to
improve both yield and quality.
“The active ingredient, oxathiapiprolin, has a
new mode of action that is effective against
all strains of downy mildew, including those
which show resistance to currently available
products,” Mark says. “Zorvec Enicade affects
multiple stages of the pathogen’s life cycle
for better efficacy, efficiency and length
of control.”
Our team will work
“
with Fruitfed Supplies
to ensure growers get
best value from the new
fungicide
”
The fungicide is able to move systemically in
plants to protect treated leaves as they grow
and expand and new leaves as they emerge
and develop.
“To get the most from Zorvec Enicade,
growers should target the early, rapid growth
phases of crops to protect emerging leaves.
In positioning trials conducted in southern
Hayden Toy and John Smith from DuPont Crop Protection inspect plots in an onion trial
Australia over recent seasons, the best results
have been when Zorvec Enicade is used early
in the crop management programme. This is
often when the damp, wet conditions which
are conducive to downy mildew prevail so the
early application of Zorvec Enicade provides
excellent control at critical stages of the onion
crop development.”
Zorvec Enicade can be applied twice per
crop, with a minimum of 10 days between
applications. The use rate is 350 ml/ha and
growers should always tank-mix another
protectant fungicide such as mancozeb to
reduce the risk of resistance developing to the
new fungicide.
Mark says trials with Zorvec Enicade have
been conducted by various organisations in
Australia and New Zealand and the feedback
from researchers, agronomists and growers
had been very positive.
which will make it an ideal option on farms.
“Wet weather creates conditions conducive
for downy mildew infections, yet can be a
challenging time to apply a fungicide and
have it work effectively. However, Zorvec
Enicade is able to rapidly penetrate the leaf
surface of plants and may not be washed off
by rain in as little as twenty minutes after the
spray residue dries on the leaves.”
The fungicide has a good environmental
profile. It is effective on target organisms at
very low use rates and has favourable toxicity
to non-target organisms. Toxicity to mammals,
birds and bees is all low.
“Zorvec Enicade was compared to growers’
standard programmes and best results have
been when the product is used early in the
spray programme.”
Mark expects growers’ uptake of Zorvec
Enicade to be strong and adds that DuPont
Crop Protection is committed to a stewardship
programme to ensure correct use of the
product. “Our team will work with Fruitfed
Supplies to ensure growers get best value
from the new fungicide, and also minimise the
risk of downy mildew pathogens developing
resistance to this important addition to an
onion grower’s spray programme.”
As well as excellent disease control, Zorvec
Enicade also had other positive characteristics
Always refer to label before use. DuPont™, Zorvec® and
Enicade® are trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
Fruitfed Supplies National Office | Phone: 09 448 0510 | www.fruitfed.co.nz | Fruitfed Supplies is part of PGG Wrightson Ltd
SEPTEMBER 2016 | FACTS NEWSLETTER
1
Celebrating 100 Years
Long family relationship with
Fruitfed
The Paynter family has one of the most
enduring family histories in New Zealand
horticulture. We talk with John Paynter,
chairman of Johnny Appleseed Group,
about his family’s fruit-growing legacy and
their relationship with the Fruitgrowers
Federation.
“My great grandfather, the original John
Paynter, started growing apples and stonefruit
in 1862 out of Stoke, Nelson and was joined
by three sons, including my grandfather, in
the business which shipped fruit to the North
Island,” says John. “At the turn of the century,
they recognised that the population growth
was going to be in the North Island so my
great uncle started our Hawke’s Bay orchards
in 1904, while a bit later my grandfather sold
in Stoke to go and work for the horticultural
division of the Department of Agriculture
where he became a highly-regarded adviser
on pip and stonefruit.”
John’s father Howard joined the uncles in
Hawke’s Bay and soon after bought the
property which became the foundation of
Johnny Appleseed, first planting apples, pears
and stonefruit in 1926. “Dad was president of
the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Federation and
I joined him in 1962 to create Paynter & Son.
Dad had a good life; no debt.”
By the mid ‘60s, Howard and John were
buying bare land to plant more trees and
established their own tree nursery in 1968.
“We’ve been buying or leasing land annually
ever since and currently have over 650 ha in
production with 75% in apples, some pears
and the rest in stonefruit. You could say we’ve
had a passion for planting trees!”
With sons Paul and Jonathan comprising
the fifth generation working for Johnny
Appleseed, John says it’s still a family
business but with a corporate structure and
management team.
“The changes in this industry since I started
have been far-reaching. We’ve lost 75% of
our growers and the changes in technology
and products are considerable. The length of
time our family and company have been in
business is a story of survival and for Fruitfed
to come through all the changes and still
thrive is equally a survival story.
“We’ve dealt with the Fruitgrowers Federation,
now Fruitfed, from day one. Growers owning
the Federation gave them a great platform
politically. Essentially the Federation was the
godfather of the industry we know today and
it had a lot of influence in the formation of
the Apple and Pear Marketing Board and the
Kiwifruit Marketing Board.
“It’s significant to note Fruitfed’s resilience as
well as its longevity, and just like us growers,
the ability to change. Think of the number
of stock and station agents who’ve been
around over the years, and the considerable
competition they had in the past from
operations like the Ivory Brothers in Nelson
in the ‘50s and Skeltons. Fruitfed has
continued to maintain their very good
customer focus to survive. They’ve
survived multiple owners with different
objectives. They’ve survived from being
a fledging grower co-op, to being
listed on the stock exchange and now a
subsidiary of a listed company.
“Fruitfed has also had to reposition itself
more than once. The Fruitfed team has
John’s father Howard Paynter installed the largest
fruit grading machine in New Zealand in 1978
John Paynter aged 8 (top) holding peaches
with his father Howard on the right and an
orchard worker
been able to change as the industry changed,
particularly with the technical aspects of fruit
growing from calendar spraying to integrated
fruit management programmes. They have
rebuilt their business to fit the industry and
remained leaders in their field. Throughout
they have maintained the key cornerstones
of the Federation – a personal approach,
relationships with growers, research,
products and innovation, backed by mutual
trust and friendship.”
Another strong link to Fruitfed stems back to
the significant frost damage of the Paynter’s
orchard in 1976-77. John says he went to the
US to evaluate three wind machines for frost
protection. “I made a deal with Orchard-Rite to
buy two machines. They offered us the New
Zealand agency, but I recommended they talk
with Fruitfed Supplies.”
Fruitfed News
Meet the Young Viticulturist finalists
Five young men have won this year’s
regional rounds of the Bayer Young
Viticulturist of the Year competition.
Te Kairanga’s Mark Langlands took out the
Wairarapa competition ahead of equal
second place-getters Scott Lanceley from
Craggy Range and Ben McNab-Jones from
Urlar. Langlands also won the Wairarapa
competition last year, but was unable to
compete in the final as he was working a
vintage in California. He is therefore thrilled
that he can go forward and represent the
Wairarapa this year and is determined to bring
the trophy back to the region.
Braden Crosby is the only Wairarapa
viticulturist to have previously won the
national title in 2012, when he also went on
to win the Young Horticulturist of the Year
title. Crosby now organises the Wairarapa
competition with Rowan Hoskins from
Vine Managers and says they like to keep
contestants on their toes with a different
format this year. A two-hour theoretical paper
creating a vineyard redevelopment plan
then had to be demonstrated physically with
trellising, planting vines and irrigation systems.
The traditional hortisports were followed a
quick-fire quiz and speeches.
In Central Otago, Amisfield’s Mike Winter won
the regional final for the third time. Winter says
he is very determined to take out the national
title this year, as it is the last time he can
compete due to the age cut-off (30 years old
or younger on 31 December). Simon Gourley,
from the Central Otago Wine Company, came
second and Felton Road’s Annabelle Bulk
came third among the eight competitors, four
women and four men.
Cameron Price, from Villa Maria, won the
Hawke’s Bay title, saying he was thrilled that
the experience he had gained from having
entered the competition twice previously
and the hard work he put into preparing for
this year finally paid off. Second place went to
Anton Luiten from Selaks, Constellation and Te
Mata’s Jascha Oldham-Selak was third.
The day’s competition included a mix of
theoretical and practical activities, interviews,
Hortisports, a blind tasting, a quick-fire quiz
and speeches. Contestants and the 100 guests
at the evening event also heard from 2016
Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year Grant Charteris.
Brenton O’Riley won the Marlborough title
from five other competitors. Brenton also won
this title in 2014. Formerly at Giesen Wines as a
Hawke’s Bay winner Cameron Price
from Villa Maria
Amisfield’s Mike Winter won in Central Otago
Pernod Ricard’s Brenton O’Riley
in Marlborough
Mudbrick Wine’s Tim Adams won the
new Auckland/Northland title
Wairarapa winner Mark Langlands
from Te Kairanga
viticultural technician, he credits his time and
experience there as helping him gain some of
the high level knowledge and skills required
to win the competition. He now works for
Pernod Ricard in a grower liaison role. Three
of the six Marlborough competitors were
women with second and third places going
to Libby Rainey, from Villa Maria, and Jaimee
Whitehead, from Matua.
Fruitfed Supplies is a major sponsor of
the Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year,
and national manager Max Spence says:
“Congratulations to Young Viticulturist coordinator Nicky Grandorge and her team of
organisers for growing this valuable industry
competition throughout 2016. The growing
mix of competitors and the addition of a new
region highlight the value we, as an industry,
place on the recognition and development of
the future leaders of our industry.
Mudbrick Wine’s Tim Adams, from Waiheke
Island, took out the new-this-year Auckland/
Northern title ahead of Jake Dromgool, from
The Landing in Kerikeri, and Mohit Sharma
from Waiheke’s Man O’ War who came third.
Five young viticulturists contested the
Auckland competition which included a
very inspirational speech Sir Graham Henry
on success and how to set goals and work
towards them.
The Auckland competition highlighted
the high calibre of the contestants, the
camaraderie that grew between them,
and the positivity and vibrancy of the wine
industry as a whole.
“Well done also to everyone who competed
this year; we hope you found this a productive
and positive experience, and thank you to
everyone who contributes their time and
expertise to organise and judge the Bayer
Young Viticulturist of the Year competition.”
The Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year final
took place at Villa Maria in Marlborough at
the end of August (after the Facts deadline)
as part of the annual Romeo Bragato wine
industry conference.
SEPTEMBER 2016 | FACTS NEWSLETTER
3
Avocado Sector
Far North avocado grower utilises
monitoring for optimal timing
A long-time Fruitfed Supplies’ customer,
Ivan Stanisich is partway through
planting 29 ha of avocados in the Far
North’s Awanui.
Dairy farmer Ivan Stanisich made the decision
to diversify and started planting his avocado
orchard in 2001. His picturesque property
on small hills near Lake Waiparera features
Houhora sands and clays, on slopes that
Fruitfed Supplies’ Lea Sorensen describes
as “pretty challenging; some are around
17 degrees”.
Lea, who is the Northland crop monitoring
coordinator, visited Ivan’s ever-expanding
avocado block with Fruitfed’s AvoGreenaccredited crop monitoring scout Kim
McLarnon. Kim, who is an avocado grower
herself, has considerable knowledge of the
industry, and maintains excellent relationships
with other growers in the region.
“The trees Ivan planted back in 2001 are now
fully productive for export and, while Ivan
develops the remainder of his property, he
continues the balancing act of maintenance
and financial input versus income,” Lea says.
“Added to his milking routine, Ivan has to
manage the logistics of mowing, pruning,
spraying, fertilising and irrigating, as well as
shelter belt trimming on a fairly large scale.”
Kim visits the Stanisich orchard to monitor
for pests on a fortnightly or monthly basis
An aerial view of Ivan Stanisich’s avocado orchard in the Far North
depending on the season across about 10
ha, sampling fruit and leaves from 50 trees
at random.
From this detailed crop monitoring
information, Ivan can make an informed
decision about whether or not he needs to
make a spray application.
Ivan says: “I have 17 neighbours to consider
when making a spray application. I’ve learnt
along the way that what could take all week
can be accomplished in 45 minutes with
a helicopter. This lets me get the spraying
done at the most optimal time to target pest
infestations, using a small weather window in
the early morning. It’s also less disruptive to
my neighbours.”
Ivan has planted a variety of clones and
seedlings, including Carmen/Dusa, Carmen/
Bounty, Carmen/Zutano, and Maluma/Dusa.
The multi-cropping trees provide an income
stream while the traditional Hass variety is
still ripening. These blocks of 4-year-old trees
were planted in conjunction with the Avocado
Industry Council (AIC) as part of a trial and
Ivan says they’re doing extremely well.
The next blocks being developed have their
pine shelterbelts in place. Ivan says: “I’ve found
that by waiting and establishing the shelter
first, the avocado trees have a far better start
and exceed the growth of any trees planted
before the shelter is about 4-5 years old.”
In the new blocks, Hass on Dusa, Bounty
and Latas are wrapped in frost cloth. The
remaining blocks are ready for the next batch
of avocados to be planted in autumn. The
trees are ordered through Riversun nursery
and Ivan finds autumn the best time to get
them established while the soil is warm and
the rain is on its way.
Lea concludes: “When Ivan is finished planting,
there will be 29 canopy hectares of avocadoes,
more than enough to keep him busy…when
he’s not milking the cows.”
Fruitfed’s AvoGreen-accredited crop monitoring scout Kim McLarnon at work in the Stanisich orchard
4
FACTS NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2016
To find out more about Fruitfed
Supplies’ crop monitoring
programmes, please visit
www.fruitfed.co.nz
Fruitfed News
Fruitfed backs world-class
Pinot Noir celebration
Fruitfed Supplies is once again supporting
the biggest event of its kind in the world
when the 2017 Pinot Noir NZ Celebration
takes place in Wellington early next year.
Running over three days, from 31 January
2017 on Wellington’s Waterfront, 500
attendees will be immersed in a thoughtprovoking programme designed to explore
and embrace New Zealand Pinot Noir. The
event brings together media, trade and
enthusiasts from all corners of the globe,
who descend on our shores to be educated,
stimulated and connected to what makes
New Zealand Pinot Noir so special.
producers, who will showcase over 300 wines
from Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough
and Wairarapa, Nelson, Marlborough, North
Canterbury, Central Otago and Waitaki. Ben
Glover, group winemaker of Accolade NZ
which includes the Mud House and Waipara
Hills brands, chairs this year’s event.
Fruitfed Supplies’ national manager Max
Spence says: “We are delighted to, once again,
have a key role as a sponsor of Pinot Noir NZ.
There are close synergies between Pinot Noir
NZ and Fruitfed Supplies in terms of our desire
to support and grow the New Zealand wine
industry, which is why we’re very pleased
to see New Zealand’s world-class Pinot Noir
wines celebrated on the world stage at
this event.
“New Zealand Pinot Noir is being grown
successfully in diverse regions across the
New Zealand landscape. It’s fantastic to have
vineyards around the country acknowledge
and appreciate the professional field
support and winemaking supplies provided
by our Fruitfed Supplies team which,
in turn, contributes to our winemakers
producing New Zealand’s highly-regarded
Pinot Noir wines.”
Three very diverse and celebrated
personalities are confirmed on the guest
speaker list: the world’s most influential wine
commentator, Jancis Robinson MW, OBE;
Japan’s highly eminent wine and sake expert
Ken Ohashi, MW; and Grammy Award-winning
Tool frontman and winemaker Maynard James
Keenan (MJK), from Arizona US.
First run in 2001, the Pinot Noir NZ event is
held every four years and this year includes
117 of New Zealand’s top Pinot Noir
One of the regionally-themed tasting rooms at Pinot Noir NZ
ReflectorMat aids fruit colour
A number of growers used ReflectorMat
with their apple crops last season with
good results.
ReflectorMat is a highly reflective, woven
cloth designed to redirect light upwards from
underneath the fruiting zone, increasing total
blush area of the fruit and improving the
crop’s return to growers.
There are several options of this kind of
reflective mulch/mat available in New Zealand
says Fruitfed Supplies category manager
Jason Sail. “One of the key benefits of the
ReflectorMat from Empak Distribution is that
it’s a very durable, hard-wearing product
designed for multi-season use.”
Made from 100% virgin bright white
(Ti02) woven polyethylene, ReflectorMat
is backed by a 44-month manufacturers’
UV warranty and is proven in New Zealand
growing conditions.
Fruitfed Supplies technical horticultural
representative Richard Griffiths says: “With
market requirements for colour on red apple
varieties, growers know the use of a reflective
mulch can make a big difference come
harvest time.
“Two of my clients who use Fruitfed’s
ReflectorMat were very pleased with the
colour enhancement that they got out of
the product. Where there was a competitive
product also used on the orchard, no
difference in colour was seen. ReflectorMat is a
proven option in New Zealand orchards.”
Technical aspects of ReflectorMat:
• Both sides are ultrasonically heat-sealed to
avoid fraying and provide increased edge
strength.
• Rolls are not folded in half, removing any
potential of split cloth which can occur at
the weakened centre folded mark.
• The cloth uses a heavy duty weight
polyethylene with larger 8x8 per sq. inch
woven weave for ultimate reflectivity.
• Easily distinguish between batches
ReflectorMat
with a separate colour code for year of
manufacture.
• Current stock widths are 3 m and 3.85 m;
rolls available in 100 m and 500 m lengths.
Growers can secure special made-toorder widths; subject to minimum order,
and accessories to secure ReflectorMat in
your orchard are also available. Please ask
your local Fruitfed Supplies representative
for more details.
SEPTEMBER 2016 | FACTS NEWSLETTER
5
Product Updates
Protect your crop and
profitability with Megafol
A natural biostimulant, Megafol can help
protect your crop from significant stresses,
and stimulate the plants’ metabolism
and growth.
How Megafol protects plants from frost damage
CO LD STR E SS
Significant weather events can impact
a New Zealand grower at any time. In
Hastings on 25 January 2016, a heatwave
sent the mercury soaring to 31°C; Auckland
experienced floods due to heavy rain at the
end of June and in early July a severe frost
hit the Otago region with air temperature
falling down to -7°C. The extremes of regional
climates and weather events create both
environmental and economic impacts for
growers around the country.
Chilling - Freezing
Temperature
Specialist producer of biostimulants, Valagro
utilises modern genomics – the science of
mapping and studying genetic activities – to
understand the impact of abiotic stresses on
different plant physiological process. With
the help of genomics, Valagro has developed
Megafol, a natural biostimulant that not
only minimises the impact of different
abiotic stresses on plant physiology but
also stimulates the metabolism and hence
Membrane Damage
GENES: COR...
Calcium-binding EF
COR 414-TM1
Cell Death
SURVIVAL!
the growth of the plant. Megafol contains
only specific vegetal extracts which make
it effective and safe for people and the
wider environment.
“Let us understand how Megafol helps protect
the plant from damage due to chillingfreezing temperatures or even frost which is
a common phenomenon during early spring
and winter in New Zealand:
• When the plants are exposed to the chillingfreezing environment, water inside the plant
cell freezes or fluid transportation between
the two cells slows down, resulting in
plant dehydration.
• If plants are exposed to such an
environment for a prolonged period of time
the cell membranes get damaged, resulting
in cell death and plant tissue damage.
• If the Megafol is applied before the
cold stress event, during the event or
immediately after the event, activities
of the genes responsible for protection
Average Fruit Weight (g)
Yield per plant (Kg)
185
14.4
180
14.2
175
14.0
13.8
13.6
165
13.4
160
13.2
155
13.0
150
12.8
145
12.6
Control
6
Megafol 4.5%
Urea
Comp. 5%N Comp. 9%N
FACTS NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2016
Control
Megafol 4.5%N
and stabilization of cellular membrane
COR 414-TM1 are upregulated.
• Calcium-binding protein controls cellular
and development processes and has
emerged as an important messenger
mediating action of many growth and
defence signalling systems.
• Calcium-binding EF genes* are upregulated
8-fold with the help of Megafol which
primes the plant defense system to quickly
respond to stress factors such as frost.
*ref: http:// genomebiology.
com/2002/3/10/ research/00560
Shakil adds: “Megafol helps to promote
plant growth by protein synthesis because
Megafol’s active ingredients have structural,
metabolic (enzymatic) and transport functions
and help to maintain the amino acid reserves
within the plant. All these factors relate
to a significant increase in plant growth
and production.
“Megafol also helps improve pollination, fruit
formation, quality and maturation. Pollination
can only occur if the pollen grains are
delivered to the flower pistil. Specific active
ingredients in Megafol are directly involved
in this mechanism and have a positive effect
on pollen fertility and the length of the
pollen tube.
Treatment of Megafol on apple tree damage by thermic stress
(Published in “L’Informatore Agrario”, Verona - ITALY, LIV (14).)
170
Protection and
stabilization of the
integrity of cellular
membrane
Dehydration
Valagro Pacific’s crop manager Shakil Saiyed
says there is a direct relation between different
environmental stresses and capacity of the
crop to reach its optimum production point.
“Different environmental stresses impact crop
physiology in different ways,” says Shakil. “For
example, flooding can fill up the macro pores
of the soil and minimise the root respiration.
This reduces the nutrient exchange capacity
dramatically, impacting overall growth of the
crop. Hail can do physical damage to the crop,
low temperature can slow down the overall
metabolism of the plant and growth could be
stagnant, while frost can kill the cells of plant
tissues and can prove fatal to plant growth.
All these setbacks to plant growth could be
detrimental to the profitability of commercial
crop productions. Abiotic stress can cause up
to 70% reduction in yield.”
M E G A FO L
Urea
Comp. 5%N Comp. 9%N
“Next time, when your crop is exposed
to significant weather events, protect
it by applying Megafol and insure
your profitability.”
Product Updates
Seguris Flexi provides rainfast
cover at key time
Syngenta’s SDHI (Group 7) fungicide
Seguris Flexi protects pipfruit against
black spot and powdery mildew infection
during the critical flowering period
Shane Flynn, from Freshmax Orchards in
Hawke’s Bay, added Seguris Flexi to their
pipfruit fungicide programme back in 2013.
“Seguris Flexi gives good cover over a difficult
time period during flowering,” says Shane who
manages over 460 ha of pipfruit.
“Knowing that you’ve got a good protectant
cover for black spot and powdery mildew
in place means you can potentially focus on
other chemical sprays like thinning sprays
during this busy time of the season.
“It’s 100% valuable that Seguris Flexi is a very
rain-fast preventative for both of these key
diseases as its application timing is also the
key time to tackle both diseases.”
Best use recommendations
Shane says they’ve had no market access
issues. “No residues; it’s perfect in that regard.”
• Apply Seguris Flexi at 80 ml per 100
In terms of fruit finish, he adds: “With any
new product, we usually trial it at the start
and we haven’t seen any problems with fruit
finish at all.”
• For resistance management, a
Changing to Seguris Flexi from another
protectant also meant the Freshmax team
could take advantage of a lower water rate for
Seguris Flexi applications. “We do more low
rate 500 litres of water per ha sprays, which
means the tractor speed can be a lot faster
and we get through the blocks more quickly
during this busy time of year.”
litres of water at seven day intervals
from tight cluster to 90% petal-fall.
maximum of four applications of
Seguris Flexi (or any other Group 7
SDHI-containing fungicides) with
not more than two consecutive
applications can be made per season.
• Apply only in a mixture with a broad
spectrum protectant fungicide that is
not at risk from resistance.
• Use SDHIs at full label rates and only as
a preventative application.
Luna Sensation performs well in
the Wairarapa
Powdery mildew had been a challenge at
Margrain Vineyards for the last few seasons
The quality of
“
the fruit from this
Chris Robinson, Margrain’s vineyard manager,
says powdery mildew had been particularly
troublesome on one of the blocks on their
12 ha vineyard.
block this year
was outstanding
being clean and
completely free of
mildew infection
“The block had been through a period of
neglect before I started, and then we tried
several different sprays on it but still lost a lot
of fruit to mildew,” Chris says.
Chris decided to try the newly released
Luna® Sensation after hearing about and
being recommended it by his local Fruitfed
Supplies technical horticultural representative
Spencer Southey.
Chris applied Luna Sensation across the
whole vineyard as part of a season-long
programme. He was thrilled with the results
with no powdery mildew showing up across
whole vineyard, including in the previously
problematic block.
“The quality of the fruit from this block
this year was outstanding being clean
”
Fruitfed’s Spencer Southey in the
Margrain vineyard with manger
Chris Robinson
and completely free of mildew infection,”
says Chris.
Fruitfed Supplies’ technical manager Kevin
Manning comments: “It was pleasing to
see Luna Sensation working so effectively
in its first season of commercial use. This is
consistent with our own powdery mildew
grape trial work over the last three seasons
where Luna Sensation has demonstrated
outstanding efficacy.”
For the 2016-17 season, Bayer CropScience
has revised its recommendations for use of
Luna Sensation in grapes. The label allows
for two applications from pre-flowering
through to 80% capfall. Following best
resistance management practices, Bayer now
recommends that Luna Sensation should
only be used once and not as consecutive
applications. For more information on using
Luna Sensation in grapes, contact your local
Fruitfed Supplies representative.
SEPTEMBER 2016 | FACTS NEWSLETTER
7
Trial Results
BioStart Mycorrcin improves
wine quality
A new three-year trial conducted on a
Pinot Noir block in the Fairhall Vineyard
of Pernod Ricard Winemakers in
Marlborough has demonstrated a clear
link between application of soil microbial
stimulators, BioStart Mycorrcin and
Digester, and improved wine quality.
“A previous long-term trial in Hawke’s Bay,
with Villa Maria on a Gimblett Gravels Merlot
block, showed that regular applications
of Mycorrcin increased soil phosphate
availability and plant phosphate levels,” says
Dr Jerome Demmer, BioStart’s R&D director.
“The microvin wines made with the Merlot
grapes from treated and untreated blocks
showed that long-term Mycorrcin-treatment
produced wines with a deeper colour,
a better balance and complexity which
outscored the untreated wines when blindtasted by Bob Campbell, Master of Wines.
“We wanted to run a similar long-term
Mycorrcin trial in Marlborough, using a
different soil and grape variety, and again
look at the impact on grape and wine
quality. This trial was conducted on a
Pinot Noir block that was being converted
from organic into conventional viticulture
management. The aim was to improve
yield and fruit quality. The trial began in
the 2013-14 season and the grapes were
harvested in March 2016.
“In the third year of the programme at
flowering we found increased levels of
leaf nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium
and petiole phosphorous and potassium,
whereas at veraison the levels of leaf
calcium and magnesium was increased.
This demonstrates that activating soil
microbiology with Mycorrcin and Digester
improves plant nutrition. (See graphs.)
The Pinot Noir grapes from this block were
used for sparkling wine and therefore
both red and white wine was made using
Leaf Nitrogen % December 2015
2.8
microvins by Kirsten Creasy, oenologist
for RJ Hill Laboratories. Kirsten says: “There
was a significant difference between the
untreated and Mycorrcin-treated grape
quality. The untreated bunches had more
hen and chicken berries, more unripe
berries, more internal bunch Botrytis and
the grape skins were more fragile leading
to more anthocyanin/colour bleed than the
Mycorrcin-treated grapes. The Mycorrcin
programme produced better grape
and juice quality, less disease and more
robust grapes skins.”
In blind tastings, the Mycorrcin-treated
microvin wines had a better juice sensory
evaluation than the untreated wines even
though the juices had similar profiles for their
biochemical analysis. The Mycorrcin-treated
white wine had better structure, balance and
weight, whereas the Mycorrcin-treated red
microvin wine had better colour, less malic
acid and less titratable acid. Kirsten described
the red wine as having “a bigger palate with
weightier structure and better balance”.
Mycorrcin is a soil microbial stimulator which
activates indigenous beneficial bacteria and
mycorrhizal fungi in your soil. Mycorrhizal
fungi colonise the roots and, in exchange
for carbon, provide phosphorous, nitrogen
and micronutrients to the plant which, in
turn, improves plant health. Mycorrcin also
stimulates new root growth, thus increasing
root mass which supports plant growth and
survival during times of stress like drought.
Mycorrcin is suitable for all crops and soil
types and is generally applied from spring
onward. Mycorrcin is compatible with
commonly-used herbicides, fertigation
nutrients and suspension fertilisers. For
more information on Mycorrcin, speak
with your local Fruitfed Supplies technical
horticultural representative.
Phosphorous % December 2015
Control
Control
Mycorrcin
2.5
2.7
2.0
0.3
1.5
2.5
0.2
2.4
1.0
2.3
0.1
0.5
2.2
2.1
0
Control
8
Potassium % December 2015
Mycorrcin
0.4
2.6
New BioStart
N-fixing bacteria
Mycorrcin
FACTS NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2016
0
Leaf
Petiole
Leaf
Petiole
Biostart N has been developed in
New Zealand by BioStart. It contains
the active ingredient Azotobacter
chroococcum, a nitrogen-fixing
bacteria which occurs naturally in
our soils and converts atmospheric
nitrogen to plant-available ammonium
nitrogen in the soil for sustained
plant growth.
By applying Biostart N, you can increase
the number of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in
your soil. It’s a biological product which
works in sync with the plant’s growth
periods and can be used to complement
conventional nitrogen fertiliser
programmes. Azotobacter chroococcum
is a free-living soil bacteria so all crops
can benefit from it. It can take up to
two months after application for the
population of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to
become established in the soil. However,
once established, nitrogen is produced
at a consistent rate for use by the plant
for growth. International literature states
Azotobacter chroococcum produces up to
30 units of N per ha. As soils and climatic
conditions will differ, results may vary.
It’s recommended to co-apply 10 ml
BioStart N nitrogen-fixing bacteria with
2 l Mycorrcin in spring directly onto the
soil in the late afternoon or when the
incidence of UV rays is reduced and
preferably before a rain event. Mycorrcin
stimulates microbial activity, mycorrhizal
colonization and plant nutrient
availability. Use in conjunction with
your conventional fertiliser programme.
BioStart N is BioGro certified.
Vegetable Sector
Improved Steward eVo formulation now available
DuPont™ Steward® eVo insecticide is now
available as a replacement for the DuPont™
Steward® 150 SC insecticide formulation.
Steward eVo is a Group 22A insecticide for
vegetable brassica and head lettuce growers.
It offers the same efficacy as the Steward SC
formulation and, in addition, has improved
insect cuticle penetration for increased speed
of action and increased ovi-larvicidal activity.
Used in rotation with DuPont™ Coragen®
insecticide, Steward eVo provides a
robust strategy for superior caterpillar
control. Together these products are ideal
for Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
programmes due to their conservation of
natural enemies. Steward eVo has minimal
impact on key beneficial insects such as
brown lacewing, hoverfly, parasitic wasps
and spiders.
“It’s great to finally have Steward eVo
available to once again assist with IPM
control in vegetable brassicas and head
lettuce,” says DuPont horticulture specialist
Raeleen Watherston.
For resistance management, only two
consecutive applications of Steward eVo
should be made to a crop before rotating to
an insecticide with another mode of action
such as Coragen for at least two consecutive
sprays. Two more applications of Steward eVo
can then be made, but four applications is the
absolute maximum number in any crop.
The use rate is still the same – 500 ml/ha –
as is the withholding period of three days,
but the pack size has changed to five litres,
enough to treat 10 hectares.
Key points about Steward eVo:
• It can be applied to the crop at all stages
and is rainfast two hours after application.
• Steward eVo is an EC formulation
(emulsifiable concentrate) that can
conveniently be poured straight from
the container without shaking into
the spray tank.
• Once poured into water, the EC
formulation rapidly and completely
disperses in the spray tank with minimal
agitation. The EC formulation, alone or
with tank-mix partners, will easily reemulsify with agitation.
• EC containers easily rinse with water
compared with oil-based SC formulations.
For further information, please talk to
your local Fruitfed Supplies technical
horticultural representative.
Always read and follow label directions. The DuPont Oval
logo, DuPont™, Coragen® and Steward® are trademarks or
registered trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
Vege Tech Bytes
Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in
potatoes is known globally as the disease
that caused the Irish potato famine and is
still one of the most significant potato fungal
diseases. It causes darkly coloured, irregularshaped lesions on leaves which grow quickly,
leaving the blackened leaves hanging on
stems. Infection occurs when relative humidity
is high (95-100%) and temperatures are
between 12-26°C. Under ideal conditions, a
white fungal growth can be found around
lesions. If left unchecked, late blight can
completely decimate a potato crop.
Preventative fungicide programmes with the
use of systemic products when conditions
favour infection work best. Luckily in New
Zealand we have ‘old’ strains of late blight
where elsewhere in the world they have ‘new’
strains which are more virulent and resistant to
some of the commonly used fungicides.
Kevin Manning contributes
Tech-Know Tips for pipfruit,
summerfruit and grapes.
Downy mildew (Peronospora destructor) in
onions is the most significant foliar disease
in the Allium family (onion, garlic, leeks,
shallots, etc.). It causes pale yellow/light
green, oval-shaped lesions on leaves. Under
humid conditions these lesions will show
masses of grey fungal spores. Lesions will
quickly turn brown and leaves will collapse.
Periods of dew with temperatures between
7- 16°C will promote germination of spores,
increasing infection.
Preventative fungicide programmes
with the use of systemic products when
conditions favour infection work best. In
onions, fungicide programmes typically start
around the 4-5 leaf stage. Zorvec Enicade is
a newly registered product for the control of
downy mildew in onions (see page 1 story).
Apply early in the programme while onions
are still growing leaf and prior to disease
symptoms appearing. Be sure to switch to an
alternative, robust, systemic fungicide after
applying Zorvec Enicade as part of good
resistance management.
These are only two diseases but they
are some of the most important for
vegetable production in New Zealand and
Tayah Ryan contributes
Tech-Know Tips for
avocados, citrus and
kiwifruit.
*Photos: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
September is the start of
spring and its warm, wet
conditions are ideal for the
development of fungal diseases
in vegetable crops.
Symptoms of downy mildew on an onion*
Symptoms of late blight on a potato plant*
worldwide. Always consider resistance
management when selecting a fungicide
for these diseases. For more information
about fungicide selection, please talk
to your local Fruitfed Supplies technical
horticultural representative.
Daniel Sutton
contributes Vege Tech Bytes.
For further information on best practice pest and disease control, crop monitoring and nutrient testing, please contact your local
Fruitfed Supplies store or technical horticultural representative.
SEPTEMBER 2016 | FACTS NEWSLETTER
9
Tech-Know Tips
Avocados
Reminders for September
»»Pest monitoring is critical in spring. Look
out for mites, thrips, and leaf roller. Fruitfed
Crop Monitoring provide an excellent
professional monitoring service which meets
regulatory requirements.
»»Control options for six-spotted mite become
very limited once bees are active in the orchard
so ensure mite populations are controlled in
September. D-C-Tron® Plus Organic mineral oil
is an excellent option and has low bee risk. After
flowering, applying Mit é mec® with D-C-Tron®
Plus Organic is a highly effective option for
controlling all mite life stages, including eggs.
»»There are high nitrogen demands in spring as
a result of rapid shoot growth as well as flower
and fruit growth. Apply foliar nitrogen such as
Yara Safe-N or low-biuret urea to supplement
nitrogen over this period if nitrogen deficiency
symptoms are evident.
»»Spring is an important period for protecting
against fruit rots. Maintain a covers of effective
fungicides over this period. Kocide® Opti™ or
Tri-Base Blue® provide excellent protection
without leaving visible fruit residues.
Yellowed foliage indicating a nitrogen
deficiency may become more evident as
flowering approaches, particularly on trees
carrying a heavy crop. Foliar nitrogen, e.g. Yara
Safe-N or low-biuret urea (max 0.4% biuret),
may need to be applied. Add magnesium
sulphate to improve leaf-greening as required,
but do not mix foliar boron products with
nitrogen, as research has shown reduced
fruit-set from this combination. Foliar nitrogen
should last be utilised around 2-3 weeks before
foliar boron sprays are first applied in October.
Additionally, consider an application of the
soil applied boron fertiliser OrganiBOR® in
September, for an effective slow-release option.
Pest monitoring is vital in spring
Citrus
Reminders for September
»»Pest monitoring is important in spring
as the warmer weather favours growth
of pests as much as crops. Of particular
importance are greenhouse thrips (where fruit
are present) Armoured Scale. Fruitfed Crop
Monitoring provide an excellent professional
monitoring service.
»»The adult moths of the lemon tree borer are
active in spring and summer so avoid pruning
from September to March.
»»The risk of fungal infections is high in
September because of the soft spring growth
combined with cool wet conditions. Therefore,
it is important to maintain a solid fungicide
programme up to and post-flowering.
»»Cooler soil temperatures limit the uptake of
nutrients so consider supplementing with foliar
fertilisers such as Citrac to promote strong
growth over flowering and fruit-set.
pest pressure and life stages. This allows
growers to target critical pest life-stages,
for instance Movento® provides excellent
control of armoured scale when targeting
juvenile life-stages.
Armoured scale on citrus
Regular crop monitoring can assist you to
make timely, well thought-out decisions
regarding pest control. The results are sent
out in easy to follow reports which highlight
blocks where threshold has been exceeded.
This type of information is useful to pinpoint
critical times for control, taking into account
Kiwifruit
Reminders for September
»»Frost protection is important following
bud-break to protect the new tissue from
damage. Overhead irrigation or Orchard-Rite®
wind machines are good frost-fighting tools,
or consider applications of low-biuret urea
immediately prior to frost events.
»»The orchard nutrition programme kicks off in
spring with Base fertiliser applications which
should be based on consideration of soil test
results and yield targets.
»»Combat the effects of cool spring conditions
with application of foliar fertilisers such as
Croplift. Also, consider options to stimulate
growth with concentrated seaweed such
as Calibra or Megafol which is specially
formulated to assist with stress.
10
FACTS NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2016
»»Control armoured scales with insecticides
to target the emerging crawlers in spring.
Movento is best applied when sufficient canopy
is present for uptake.
Armoured scale with protective sheath
on kiwifruit leaf
»»Maintain Copper fungicide covers for early
Psa infection.
Spring is a critical period for Psa infections.
The cool wet conditions typically experienced
in spring, combined with the rapid canopy
growth means that it is vital to maintain
regular applications of effective copper
fungicides. Applications of elicitors such as
Ambitious or Actigard help to strengthen
the plants against infection, reducing early
establishment of the disease which can have
significant benefits. Actigard is best timed from
a month before flowering.
Armoured scale on citrus
Pipfruit
Reminders for September
»»If powdery mildew problems were experienced
last season, apply a specific mildewcide leading
into the bloom period to gain early control of
the disease, particularly for susceptible apple
varieties like Envy, Cox’s Orange and Royal
Gala. Where there is high Powdery Mildew
pressure an application of Neptune may
be used at tight cluster (but no later). After
tight cluster Talendo®, a specialist powdery
mildew fungicide with antisporulent activity, is
recommended and has performed impressively
in our pipfruit powdery mildew research trials.
»»If mealy bug and/or scale were a problem
last season, early season management is
important to gain good control this season.
Ovation® or Mortar, a selective insecticide, is
highly recommended.
»»If woolly apple aphid were a problem last
autumn, apply oil in combination with an
appropriate insecticide at late dormant or
green tip.
Your black spot fungicide programme should
begin from the first sign of green tip for
each variety. Correct timing is vital to protect
new emerging, very susceptible leaves and
sepals as they may become a source of new
infections later in the season. Early season
best practice is to spray preventatively, i.e. in
anticipation of rain, every 5-7 days, keep to the
recommended product label rates, and ensure
good coverage.
Cool temperatures may require repeat
applications during a protracted bud-burst to
ensure newly opening buds are protected.
Syllit Plus is a good option at green tip and
tight cluster due to its translaminar movement
in the leaf which aids spray coverage and gives
rainfastness. Syllit Plus has both curative and
protectant activity, however applying before
infection periods, rather than after, gives best
results. Its uptake is not significantly influenced
by temperature. Remember Syllit Plus requires
a minimum of three hours drying time.
respiration inhibitors and not cross resistant to
Chorus, stroilurins or DMI fungicides.
Remember FRAC resistance management
guidelines for SHDI chemistry: (1) always apply
with a black spot protectant fungicide from
a different mode of action group, (2) use in
single or block applications (no more than
two consecutive applications in a block), (3)
alternate with fungicides from a different
chemistry group, e.g. Polyram or plus Megastar,
if curative reach-back is required and (4)
a maximum of four SHDI applications per
season. Note: Fontelis: Do not apply after
50% petal-fall.
Green tip in apples
Polyram or plus one of the new SHDI (Group 7)
fungicides, such as Fontelis, Sercadis or Seguris
Flexi are good options as they are complex 11
Stonefruit
Reminders for September
»»During the bloom period, the application of
Keystrepto for bacterial blast control is most
effective when used with a suitable adjuvant in
anticipation of favourable infection conditions.
Application immediately after frosts, hail
or strong wind may also be wise to prevent
disease establishment on damaged tissue.
»»Monitor for thrips during flowering. If
thresholds are exceeded, apply Mavrik Aquaflo®
which studies confirmed is safe to bees.
Although, best practice is always to apply when
bees are not foraging
The foundation of an effective brown rot
control strategy is the protectant spray
schedule over the bloom period. Floral parts
are very susceptible to brown rot infection
and also function as efficient spore traps. Wet
events during bloom may induce blossom
blight (resulting in a direct crop loss) as well
as wood cankers which serve as an inoculum
source later in the season.
When rain is forecast, it is important to start
applying fungicide covers as the first flowers
are opening. Products with a systemic mode
of action, e.g. Chorus®, are good early sprays to
help disease control as flowers start to open.
NB: Use Chorus on peaches, nectarines and
apricots only.
preventatively. It can be applied a maximum
of three times over bloom, but only twice in
succession, and has a 100% petal-fall PHI for
all summerfruit crops. The PHI for cherries has
been revised so it can be used up to one day
before harvest. However growers must choose
whether to use it during bloom or pre-harvest,
as resistance management guidelines dictate it
must not be used at both timings.
Anthers exposed at full bloom
Pristine® has an excellent fit in the mid-late
bloom window, offering high-level efficacy
against both brown rot and Botrytis, and
good persistence and rainfastness. Its two
active ingredients interfere with pre-infection
stages of disease development, so use Pristine
Wine Grapes
Reminders for September
»»The mealy bug spray programme on
conventional blocks should begin with a high
volume, dilute application of Tokuthion plus 1%
oil before bud-break. Aim to wet the entire vine
and achieve penetration underneath bark.
»»Start spraying for powdery mildew soon after
bud-break, when shoots have approximately
2 cm growth, to protect vine foliage from
early infection.
Erinose mite is a perpetual nuisance whose
leaf-feeding activity elicits a hypertrophic
response, resulting in unsightly galls on
the lower surface of the leaf blade. On
upper surfaces appear blister-like bulges. If
warm, humid weather coincides with rapid
leaf growth, galling may be severe. High
levels of infestation can inhibit growth,
reduce photosynthetic function and induce
premature leaf drop. Economic damage is
most commonly associated with young vines.
Our research demonstrates that the first two
sprays of the season are critical for good
control of this pest. Aim to apply the first
spray cover at around bud-burst and follow
up approximately 10 days later; ensure good
coverage of foliage with both. When the
temperature is substandard for wettable
sulphur to work optimally, a narrow-range,
high purity oil has a good fit. Organic JMS
Stylet Oil® has a 99.2% unsulphonated residue
level, giving it a good crop safety profile and
a high level of control in our research trials
when used as described above. Be mindful of
product incompatibilities with oil sprays; read
the label carefully before use.
Erinose mite galls on grape leaf
SEPTEMBER 2016 | FACTS NEWSLETTER
11
Product Updates
Start strong with Kasumin
The bactericide, Kasumin, offers kiwifruit
growers an effective option with
which to commence this season’s Psa
protection programme.
Kasumin has proven to be a powerful
tool in the battle against Psa, says Pieter
Van Der Westhuizen, Etec’s northern
regional manager.
“In many detailed, small plot trials over the
last four years and now, after a full season
of widespread use, we can say we are very
impressed with the product.
“Over the past season Kasumin proved to
be a reliable and robust management tool
against Psa. Kiwifruit vines treated with
Kasumin showed reduced leaf infection
and, when we look at bud infection, there
was a clear reduction in the percentage
and severity of Psa infection as well as an
increase in fruit-set compared to other
treatments in trial work.”
The product’s easy-to-use liquid formulation,
rapid uptake and proven rainfastness even
in challenging spring weather have been
well received by growers who don’t have
to consider reapplication if a rainfall event
follows soon after a Kasumin application.
Resistance development by bacteria can be
very rapid and has already occurred with
certain products in New Zealand.
Pieter explains: “Kasumin is a bactericide and
its active ingredient, kasugamycin, is only
active against pathogenic fungi and bacteria
in plants. Kasugamycin has never been
used in a veterinary or human application
because kasugamycin possesses almost
no activity against bacterial pathogens of
humans or animals.”
On a molecular level, kasugamycin binds
to two separate receptor sites on the Psa
bacteria; this binding is irreversible and
it changes the two sites. Resistance can
only develop if two separate mutations
to the receptor sites develop, within the
same bacteria. This is highly unlikely to
occur spontaneously.
Best practice recommendations
• Make the first Kasumin application as
soon as vines have sufficient leaves to
ensure foliar uptake. The rule of thumb
is to have the biggest leaves the size of
50 cent coins.
• Recommended use rate is 500 ml
per 100 l of water and a water rate of
600 l/ha (3 l/ha)
• Add Du-Wett® super-spreader to
increase product spread and deposition
on kiwifruit leaves. If drift could be an
Leaf infection (leaves)
be made under a justified approval
if a weather event triggers the risk
of infection.
• Remember that Kasumin can only be
used up to 21-days pre-flowering, i.e. prior
to any flower opening.
Pieter adds: “For a Psa control programme
to be effective, we recommend starting
strong with Kasumin and ensure a good
programme of other products.”
Kasumin has an application window of
around 40 days and is compatible with a
wide range of products including coppers
and Actigard® making it even easier to rely
on Kasumin as an integral part of a robust
Psa control programme.
“Kasumin is rainfast after two hours of drying
time. Its active, kasugamycin, is absorbed
into the leaves very rapidly and quickly goes
to work protecting the vines.”
During the 14/15 season Kasumin showed its effectiveness in
field trials on Psa bud rot in Hayward
80
40
70
35
60
30
50
%
40
25
20
30
15
20
10
10
5
0
0
Untreated
Actigard
Kasumin
9th December
12
• A second application of Kasumin can
Bud rot
During the 14/15 season Kasumin showed its effectiveness in
field trials on Psa leaf infection in Hayward
%
issue, consider using Drift Stop instead
of Du-Wett.
FACTS NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2016
Streptomycin
Untreated
Actigard
Kasumin
Pre-flower
Streptomycin
Product Updates
PruneTec protects pruning wounds
and grafting seals
PruneTec’s features as a graft protectant:
After being used in the market for the past
two years, PruneTec claims the top spot
for a protectant for horticultural grafting
applications, according to sales manager
Bruce Gemmell.
• It’s specially formulated and approved for
grafting situations.
• It provides a lasting wound protection
around the graft union and wound enabling
rapid callusing, ensuring fewer failures.
“With major changes to pipfruit varieties
and kiwifruit cultivars, growers are turning
to PruneTec as the preferred proven product
for grafting their orchards or vineyards,” says
Bruce. “It’s all about using a product that
growers can depend on to protect the new
graft and getting the tree or vine back into
production as quickly as possible.”
Six figure returns in both kiwifruit and apples,
dictate a fast turnaround when changing
variety or cultivar.
“The effective changeover of kiwifruit,
pipfruit, stonefruit and grape varieties can be
compromised by fungal pathogens entering
pruning or grafting wounds and cause disease
• It creates a strong bond around the graft
and initiates tissue callusing to protect
against disease and ensuring good contact
and a good take of the scion wood.
• It has elasticity – the seal stretches as the
plant grows without cracking or splitting.
• It dries quickly after rain or in slow
drying conditions.
Applying PruneTec to grafted apple trees
often leading to low production or tree and
vine death. So the correct choice of grafting
sealant is imperative. Proper attention to
the grafting process is vital to orchard and
vineyard success.”
• It has demonstrated marked longevity as a
sealant the following year after application.
• It does not burn or cause a burning effect
on scion wood.
PruneTec is available exclusively from Fruitfed
Supplies and is available in all stores in two
and 10-litre, easy-to-decant containers.
Trial data supports Actigard use in spring
This is good news for growers, says Syngenta’s
John Yates, as Actigard is an important tool to
have in the toolbox for Psa-V control over the
high risk spring growth period.
Actigard can be applied from 25mm leaf
diameter to first female flowers opening
New trial data supports up to three
applications of Actigard in the spring for
Psa-V control.
Syngenta contracted four independent
replicated trials (two Hayward and two Gold3)
in the Bay of Plenty in spring 2015 to evaluate
if there was a relationship between Actigard
timing and the number of foliar applications
on vine vigour, flowering, yield and fruit
quality. The results showed it was safe to
apply Actigard to actively growing kiwifruit
vines three times at 21-day intervals, between
25mm leaf diameter and prior to flowering.
“Unlike copper, Actigard is systemic and
works from within the plant, by stimulating
the plant’s natural self-defence mechanism
via a process known as Systemic Acquired
Resistance (SAR),” John says. “Once inside the
leaf, Actigard cannot be washed off by rainfall.
However, as Actigard can take up to seven
days to fully activate the plant, the addition
of copper is recommended for immediate
protection prior to prolonged wet periods. The
combination of Actigard plus copper offers
dual protection against Psa-V, both on and
from inside the leaf.”
Actigard spring use recommendations:
• Actigard can provide up to 21 days’
protection on treated leaves, including
during leaf expansion. Good coverage is
important for optimum results as leaves
not treated, or not present, at the time of
application will not be protected.
• Actigard can also be mixed with
streptomycin or kasugamycin to provide
multiple modes of action against Psa-V. It
is also compatible with Prodigy®, Movento®
and Luna Privilege® and some foliar nutrient
products. Multiple product mixtures
should be tested for physical compatibility
prior to use.
• Sufficient healthy, actively-growing leaves
must be present for the uptake of Actigard.
The first application of Actigard (plus
copper) should be timed after leaves have
reached 25mm in diameter, with repeat
applications at 21-day intervals until the first
female flowers have opened.
• Delay Actigard application if vines are under
stress. Wait until vines have recovered and
delay the first application of Actigard until
approximately 21-28 days prior to flowering.
Actigard applied one to seven days prior to
flowering can provide systemic protection
over the flowering period, where other
options for Psa-V control are limited.
• A maximum of four applications of Actigard
can be made in a season (harvest to
harvest). In practice this allows the use of
two or three applications in the spring,
followed by one or two in the autumn postharvest, prior to leaf fall.
For more information on the use of Actigard
in your spring management programme
for Psa-V, please contact your local Fruitfed
Supplies representative.
SEPTEMBER 2016 | FACTS NEWSLETTER
13
Product Updates
Fruit finish key to Polyram’s
longivity
Grant Hagerty, BASF New Zealand
technical manager – field services,
provides an update on the tried and true
apple black spot fungicide, Polyram.
Polyram® DF was first registered in 1972
so it’s now 44 years old… not as old as
Fruitfed at 100 years, but a ripe old age
in the scheme of the New Zealand apple
growers’ black spot protection programme.
Actually, Polyram DF is the only survivor
from the famous 3 P’s of the ‘80s, staying on
after Pallinal® and Pallitop® were superseded,
and the only change that’s been made
was a swap from a wettable powder to a
convenient dry flowable. Otherwise it’s very
much a ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ policy
with Polyram.
A lot’s happened in those 44 years of
apple growing:
• The IPM strategy has been implemented
in a Polyram DF regime and is now
well established as a predator friendly
product (as long as the number of sprays
is limited).
• The stobilurin fungicides have
come and nearly gone as a result of
black spot resistance.
• Some of the triazoles are also becoming
ineffective.
However, Polyram DF has remained the
backbone of the black spot programme,
used alone or as a partner to single site
products like triazoles or SDHIs such as
Sercadis®. Not only does Polyram DF provide
added protectant activity but is critical for
resistance management. We really cannot
afford to have more products dropped from
the black spot programme.
Polyram DF makes a perfect partner for the
new post-flowering window approved for
Sercadis. Polyram DF plus Sercadis can be
applied up to 21 days post-flowering for
exceptional black spot and powdery mildew
control. This new window for SDHIs gives
growers flexibility and reduces the reliance
on triazoles post-flowering. Polyram DF is
tank-mix friendly meaning you could even
add Regalis® Xtra to the Polyram DF/Sercadis
mix if needed.
In these typical mixes or when used alone,
the outstanding fruit finish properties
of Polyram DF are evident with minimal
russet and maximum coloration. In the 44
years, it has been the fruit finish that has
kept Polyram DF on top of the game, other
protectants were or are as effective but none
offer the crop safety afforded by Polyram DF.
Dosage for Polyram DF ranges from
100-150 g/100l depending on the ensuing
crop growth and disease pressure. This
product is a protectant that needs full
coverage of leaves and fruit to give best
results, therefore a full canopy application,
up to the point of run-off is advised, with
concentrating permitted, back from the
original full canopy water rate.
So 44 years on and we still rely on the
protectant, tank-miscible, predator-friendly,
crop-safe Polyram DF for p-p-perfect apples.
OrganiBor – sustained boron fertiliser
Spring is the ideal time to apply OrganiBor,
a naturally occurring borate mineral made
up of a rare mixture of magnesium and
calcium borate
Processed down to a fine particle size,
OrganiBor acts as a safe, slow release, soilapplied boron source,” says PGG Wrightson
plant nutrition category manager Rob Lamb.
“It allows growers to address low soil and crop
boron levels safely with a capital application
that will persist for the season without
significant loss to leaching.”
OrganiBor is about 5% immediately soluble
and plant available, with the balance slowly
being converted to plant available boric acid
regulated by soil chemistry over the season.
This differs from most other boron sources
which are highly soluble, easily lost to leaching
and therefore do not persist over the season.
“In fact, if inaccurately applied, soluble boron
sources can risk crop toxicity due to their high
immediately availability and the small safety
14
FACTS NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2016
margin between sufficient plant availability
and surplus boron.”
OrganiBor has been widely used in New
Zealand for several years with demonstrable
crop safety and effective elevation of crop
deficiencies on a wide range of soil types
and crops. Independent trials on Hawke’s Bay
apples and grapes demonstrates maintenance
dose rates of OrganiBor applied in spring
resulted in significant – up to 100% - increases
in foliage boron two months after application.
This increase was maintained through to the
following spring.
Boron deficiency is widespread throughout
New Zealand is especially common on lighter
sandy soils, or those with lower organic matter
or high soil pH. Early spring application is the
time to address boron, prior to the high crop
demands over flowering, fruit and seed-set.
OrganiBor is easy to spread yourself or can be
mixed with your spring fertiliser application.
OrganiBor due to its mineral origin is a BioGro certified input for organic production.
Talk to your local Fruitfed representative now
on suitable rates and application timing for
your crop.
Horticultural Real Estate
Awatere Valley property, one of Marlborough’s
final substantial farms, to sell for grapes
Once in pasture as far as the eye could see, productive
land in Marlborough is now monopolised by grapes.
This progressive land use change was
marked in July when one of the province’s
last remaining conventional sheep and beef
farms sold for vineyard development.
Straits View Farm, a 261 ha Awatere Valley
property on the eastern boundary of
Seddon, was purchased for $4.35 million by
neighbour, Yealands Estate.
Previously owned by Ken and Shirley Marfell,
the farm was offered to the market by
Greg Lyons of PGG Wrightson Real Estate,
Blenheim, in a joint listing with colleague,
Joe Blakiston.
Greg says most suitable local land is already
in viticulture. “Marlborough’s sizeable sheep
and beef properties with potential for
conversion have progressively sold over
the past decade, and are now planted in
vines. Straits View Farm is one of the last of
its size able to be developed. Marlborough’s
available bare land has been at a premium
for some time, and sales like this have
become increasingly rare.
“Marketing the property, which has plenty
of good country for vines, attracted
considerable attention. Yealands have
been interested for some time and their
motivation held out over other parties.
Straits View Farm has been in the hands of
the Marfell family for many years. They are
delighted to achieve a sale to Yealands, who
have invested heavily in the area with great
success to date. It is a win-win for Yealands,
our vendor and the Seddon community,”
Greg says.
Yealands Wine Group principal, Peter
Yealands, says the addition of the property is
a great opportunity for his company.
“Buying Straits View Farm enables us to
extend our presence nearly to Seddon
township,” says Peter.
“When developed, the property will
look fantastic, as the contours really lend
themselves to an aesthetically pleasing
vineyard, with ample scope for additional
wetlands and tree planting. However, we
will be sorry to see Ken and Shirley Marfell
move away, as they have been delightful
neighbours for the last 16 years.”
Joe Blakiston adds that the property
transaction was a milestone.
“Straits View Farm is a notable sale because it
marks the end of an era for the Marfell family
and the district,” Joe says.
“Yealands Estate is a key client of PGG
Wrightson and Fruitfed Supplies. With
the assistance of Blair McLean, Fruitfed’s
technical horticultural representative based
in Blenheim, we look forward to seeing the
future development of the property, which
is now set to become one of the Awatere
Valley’s outstanding vineyards.”
months. Listings are in short supply, which
has resulted in properties selling before they
are even advertised,” Joe says.
“Properties are attracting both local and
national interest, with Auckland investors
particularly active. As larger wine companies
expand their footprint and established
growers capitalise on a bumper harvest by
reinvesting in land, the market is particularly
buoyant and positive at present, with little
to suggest that is going to change in the
coming season.”
Meanwhile, kiwifruit orchard sales continue
to surpass records, with top gold orchards
selling for $650,000 per canopy hectare.
Some significant sales of horticulturesuitable land around 80 hectares in size were
progressed in late autumn, with orchardists
purchasing dairy farms for conversion. As
usual in the horticulture sector, property
sales diminish through the winter, and are
not likely to pick up again until October,
as orchardists focus on maintenance and
preparation for the new season.
This sale was just one of a number that
PGG Wrightson Real Estate has overseen in
Marlborough recently, according to Joe.
“Appetite for vineyards and bare land is
exceptional. Particularly after an excellent
harvest, interest in Marlborough viticulture
land remains strong. Completing the Straits
View Farm transaction follows four or five
other viticulture property sales we have
processed in recent months.
“Fully developed vineyard blocks across
the Wairau Plain command interest at
values around $200,000 per hectare, while
a Rapaura vineyard made in excess of
$250,000 per planted hectare in recent
Greg Lyons, PGG Wrightson Real Estate
Rural & Lifestyle Sales Consultant, Blenheim
SEPTEMBER 2016 | FACTS NEWSLETTER
15
Help raise funds for your
community this spring!
The Cash for Communities programme
has raised more than $425,000 for
schools and community organisations
around New Zealand over the past
six seasons.
This spring, PGG Wrightson and Ballance Agri-Nutrients
will continue to run Cash for Communities.
Visit www.cashforcommunities.co.nz to register your
account and nominate your local school, St John,
Rescue Helicopter or other listed organisations.
Then to start raising funds for that organisation, simply
purchase Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser on your
Fruitfed Supplies or PGG Wrightson account between
1 September and 30 November 2016.
*Open to Fruitfed Supplies and PGG Wrightson account holders only. $1 per tonne
of Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser purchased (excluding Lime, Gypsum and
Hatuma), between 1 September and 30 November 2016, will be donated to your
nominated cause (selected from approved list). See full terms and conditions at
www.cashforcommunities.co.nz. Minimum donation per cause applies.
Colouring ac
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Visit www.cashforc
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Freephone 0800
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www.pggwright
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Visit www.cashforc
ommunities.co
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Helping grow
the country
PGG Wrightson, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and
contributing farmers are very generous and supportive
of our services. We couldn’t do what we do in the
Wanaka and local rural communities without financial
help. We are very grateful for donations from the
Cash for Communities programme to fund purchases
of extra equipment for the ambulances or building.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Barbara Roxburgh
AEO, St John Wanaka
Facts is a monthly publication of Fruitfed Supplies, the horticultural division of PGG Wrightson Ltd.
Feedback to the editor is welcome – contact Kate Gordon-Smith (021 587 227 or kate@relishcommunications.co.nz).
The information contained in this publication is of general nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice in specific cases. All content of this
publication is subject to copyright. Any further use or reproduction of images or content is forbidden without prior permission of Fruitfed Supplies national office. For address
updates, please advise your local Fruitfed Supplies branch or contact the Fruitfed Supplies national office (phone 09 448 0510 or email marketingsupport@pggwrightson.co.nz).
16
FACTS NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2016