Omnia is a New Zealand based company, with international shareholders. The company has developed a comprehensive range of Agricultural and Horticultural products, with a focus on plant health.
UPDATE ON SPOTLESS – Use in relation to possible chemical combinations for Psa management
Recently, many different chemical compounds/products have been tank mixed and applied on kiwifruit foliage giving a combination of variable results. During this new dynamic period, Psa V has seen the kiwifruit industry apply chemicals during periods they were never designed to be applied and also in combinations that are not appropriate. As an industry we all understand why these activities are taking place so, to assist Omnia have undertaken some independent trials to investigate the use of our products (specifically Spotless™) in combination with other possible compounds during these periods.
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Spotless has been approved for control of the bacterial canker Pseudomonas syringae pv. Actinidiae (Psa)* in kiwifruit. With broad spectrum fungicides, bactericide and elicitors, Spotless offers unique three way protection.
Spotless has recently been approved for control of the bacterial canker Psa (limited claim)* and is ideal for managing bacterial infection from green tip to the end of flowering (August to November).
Greenseal Ultra™ is ideal for use as part of a hygiene programme in kiwifruit.
Omniwett, a proprietary adjuvant formulation, contains surfactants and plant elicitors (plant health activating compounds designed to switch on plant defences) as key active ingredients.
*The efficacy of this product for control of Psa is currently supported by limited laboratory and greenhouse data and is therefore not fully proven at this stage.
Suggested Programme for Kiwifruit
| Timing | Product | Rate/ha | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green tip to the end of flowering | Spotless | 4 L/ha | For control of the bacterial canker Psa (limited claim)*. Spray every 10-14 days. (See Spotless label for directions). |
| Flowering | Spotless | 3.5 L/ha | For control of Sclerotinia. (See Spotless label for directions). |
| Post Harvest | Omniwett | 1-2 L/ha | Use Omniwett as an adjuvant to be added with Copper. Do not use Omniwett 28 days before Hi-Cane application. |
| Greenseal Ultra | Approx. 4-8 L/ha dependent of pruning wound size. |
Protect all pruning wounds with a generous coating, paying particular attention to cuts made to vine leaders. | |
| Pruning | Omniwett | 1-2 L/ha | Use Omniwett as an adjuvant to be added with Copper. Do not use Omniwett 28 days before Hi-Cane application. |
| Before bud burst | Omniwett | 1-2 L/ha | Use Omniwett as an adjuvant to be added with Copper. Do not use Omniwett 28 days before Hi-Cane application. |
*The efficacy of this product for control of Psa is currently supported by limited laboratory and greenhouse data and is therefore not fully proven at this stage.
Background of Psa
Bacterial infections and symptom expression on a susceptible host are driven principally by rainfall and to a lesser extent temperature. Any treatment regime needs to closely monitor rainfall and factor in the likelihood of an outbreak occurring. This treatment programme does not seek to claim control of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) but to reduce bacterial populations to a level where they don’t incite disease symptoms. A bacterium like Psa can exist happily as a member of the foliar bacterial micro flora without causing any disease symptoms.
Current Guidelines
Current recommendations for the control of Psa centre on the use of Copper based fungicides and biological control agents. It is important however to also consider other materials that can enhance the activity of the above products as part of any effective disease management strategy.
Management of Psa
The outbreak of Psa in kiwifruit orchards in the Bay of Plenty is unfortunate for an industry which prides itself as almost spray free.
The first sign of infection are often chlorotic spotting, which is caused by a toxin entering leaf tissues where it disrupts cell/organelle membranes.
P.syringae can cause extensive stem and branch dieback during spring following a cold night when adequate moisture is present.
Omnia NZ has developed products that will assist in fighting the Psa problem. Spotless is a broad spectrum fungicide and bactericide which has curative and protective activity against Psa (limited claim)* and could be of great value as part of a Psa protection programme for kiwifruit.
Read more valuable research on bacteria management from Omnia’s Dr Adrian Spiers
Weather conditions condusive to high bacterial inoculum buildup
Psa can cause extensive stem and branch dieback during spring following cold nights when adequate moisture is present. All bacterial diseases are assisted by rainfall and frost and accordingly symptoms will become more prevalent after a wet late winter and spring.
Examination of climate records during the period when severe attacks of P. syringae were experienced (November-February), rainfall was 64% more (194 mm more than average) and rain fell on 52 out of the 120 days during the period.
Numerous studies have underlined the key role of rain in determining the magnitude of epiphytic and stem populations. Latorre et al (1985) reported populations of P. syringae greater than 10,000-100,000 cfu/g of bud tissue only during wet periods then declined to low or undetectable levels during dry periods.
Enquiries and Purchasing
For additional information and purchasing freephone 0800 774 629 or click here for contact options
Regional Managers
Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Northland
Steve Cully
027 272 0799
steve.cully@omnia.net.nz
South Island, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne
Please phone 0800 774 629
