Jul 22, 2008

New Chemical Registrations

Soil fumigant, fungicide and insecticide receive registrations.

MIDAS

Florida has granted commercial registration for Arysta LifeScience’s MIDAS, a broad-spectrum soil fumigant that controls a broad range of soil-borne diseases, nematodes, weed seeds and insects that threaten high-value crops such as ornamentals, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, tree fruit, nuts, vines and turf. MIDAS will be widely available through traditional fumigant distributors.

Florida joins 44 other states and the District of Columbia to approve MIDAS for commercial use. Arysta LifeScience is pursuing registration for MIDAS in all 50 states and in various countries around the world.

“Since the phase-out of methyl bromide, many Florida growers have been searching for a viable replacement,” said Marty Wiglesworth, development manager for Arysta LifeScience. “Many growers are finding that MIDAS is the right foundation for crop protection because it provides broad-spectrum control of target pests and diseases and uses conventional application techniques and equipment.”

MIDAS provides broad-spectrum crop protection, which can reduce the overall chemical load and helps establish a strong, healthy crop that delivers high yields. MIDAS is an ideal drop-in replacement for methyl bromide because it is applied with the same techniques and equipment.

Half the growers who participated in the product’s Experimental Use Permit (EUP) saw, on average, a 19 percent yield increase compared to methyl bromide on side-by-side trials on commercial acreage. The remaining growers saw results similar to those achieved with methyl bromide. In 2006, MIDAS was granted the EUP for up to 1,000 acres in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. EPA added test acreage in California in 2007. The company used these trials to evaluate efficacy, market yields and economic comparisons across several crops.

“Florida growers now have an alternative that offers the same control as methyl bromide, particularly with nutsedge, but offers higher yields,” said Shan Brooks, territory sales manager for MIDAS.

Coronet

Coronet fungicide seed treatment from BASF recently received EPA registration for use on brassica, bulb, cucurbit and legume vegetables and cotton. Containing two active ingredients, boscalid and pyraclostrobin, that are new seed treatment chemistries in these crops, Coronet offers broad-spectrum preventive seed and seedling protection.

Coronet provides protection against seedborne fungi causing seed decay, seedling damping off and the soilborne pathogens Rhizoctonia solani, Penicillium spp. and Fusarium spp. Applied by commercial seed treatment facilities to the seed prior to planting, Coronet offers enhanced disease control and grower convenience.

“Coronet helps control key seed and seedling diseases from the start, while improving plant stress tolerance,” said Craig Lindholm, marketing manager, Seed Treatments at BASF U.S. Crop Protection. “Delivering healthy plants from the start, Coronet leads to increased yield potential by giving seedlings a stronger start with improved plant vigor in the early, critical days of growth.”

“This represents an exciting time for BASF and our seed treatment business as we continue to bring our experience and expertise to new markets and crops. Coronet provides an excellent example of the combination of two active ingredients into one easy-to-use fungicide seed treatment,” Lindholm said.

Coronet applications to seed can be followed by foliar use of fungicides containing boscalid, pyraclostrobin or both, including Cabrio fungicide, Endura fungicide, Headline fungicide or Pristine fungicide, as specified on the product labels.

In addition to registration on vegetables and cotton, Coronet is also labeled for use on soybeans and sunflowers. Registrations may still be pending in certain states. Check with state regulatory agencies to determine registration status.

Movento

U.S. specialty crop growers will be among the first worldwide to experience an insecticide that exhibits “two-way systemic” activity within plants.

Movento insecticide (spirotetramat), a much-anticipated new foliar product from Bayer CropScience, has been registered by EPA for immediate use on citrus, pome and stone fruits, grapes, tree nuts, Christmas trees, hops and vegetables.

EPA jointly reviewed the registration package with lead regulatory agencies in Canada and the European Union (EU), and concurrently with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. As such, harmonized Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are established for Movento in the United States, Canada and EU. Although some state labels are pending, California approved Movento in July.

“Movento protects against a broad spectrum of troublesome sucking insects such as aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, scales and many others,” said John Bell, product development manager with Bayer CropScience. “It shows long-lasting control of feeding immature life stages as well as reductions in fecundity of female adults. But the feature that truly sets Movento apart from other insecticides is a unique active ingredient with two-way systemic activity within plant tissue.”

After application, the two-way systemic material moves upward and downward through the plant’s vascular system, ensuring even and continuous distribution and better overall protection of young shoots, leaves and roots. A spreading and penetrating adjuvant or additive is required for optimum uptake and systemicity within plant tissue.

“Movento is also an excellent choice for Integrated Pest Management and resistance management programs,” Bell said. “The active ingredient comes from a new chemical class, tetramic acids, and shows low risk to beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings.”

Marketed worldwide under the brand name Movento, spirotetramat first received regulatory approval from Tunisia in 2007. Beyond the United States, additional launches are anticipated this year for Canada and other countries. Movento is high on CODEX’s and Japan’s priority list. MRLs could be issued by those entities by late 2009 or early 2010.

For more information on Movento, visit your local Bayer CropScience retailer or local sales representative, or visit www.BayerCropScienceUS.com.