Research continues into crop effects of canola fungicide mixes

Image: Bayer Customer Advisory Representative Tim Murphy and Commercial Sales Representative Graham Hatcher check the control of blackleg disease in a trial near Riverton conducted in conjunction with the Mid North High Rainfall Zone Group.  

Tim Murphy, Customer Advisory Representative with Bayer in South Australia, coordinated a canola trial near Riverton last year in conjunction with the Mid North High Rainfall Zone Group.

Tim said the compatibility trial included application of the company’s new Aviator^® Xpro^® fungicide at the four to six leaf stage for early control of blackleg disease, tank mixed with other products including grass herbicides. This was compared with other industry standards for blackleg control mixed with similar treatments.

“Aviator Xpro was applied in different mixes and at different rates and compared to industry standard mixes,’’ Tim said.

“The Bonito canola variety grown in the trial is susceptible to blackleg and the disease level was extremely high.’’

He said a level of phytotoxicity occurred across all treatments, although most of them recovered by the 12-14 leaf stage.

“Plants pushed through and their vigour remained strong. However, there was one treatment where the leaf burn appeared similar to the other treatments, but the crop growth was retarded.’’

Tim said the level of blackleg control achieved by Aviator Xpro was exceptional.

“It was equal to, if not better than, the standards.’’

He said the trial also assessed later applications of Aviator Xpro at 20% flowering to control sclerotinia, as well as for managing blackleg disease in the upper crop canopy.

“On the Lower Eyre Peninsula, rain can fall at petal drop with the wet springs there and blackleg can appear in the upper canopy of crops.’’

Aviator Xpro contains bixafen, a novel member of the Group 7 (SDHI) fungicides, which also offers an alternate mode of action for resistance management, as well as the proven performance of prothioconazole.

It has shown to be a strong option for controlling blackleg and sclerotinia disease in canola, as well as for control of ascochyta blight in chickpeas, and now can be used across wheat, barley and more pulse crops, including for aerial application.

Aviator Xpro offers good compatibility and its patented LeafShield™ formulation technology enhances its activity against diseases. Its short rain-fast period, estimated at around 30 minutes to one hour in most situations, is particularly beneficial for spraying ahead of rainfall events.

Tim said compatibility research with selective grass herbicides would continue this year to help further understand how the mixes affected crop growth and performance.