Published on 07/12/2022
Darren Mabey says while the entire industry is acutely aware of user safety, and the need to protect beneficial insects, Mavrik’s forage brassica label extension has been eagerly awaited by those at the coalface.
“We were being asked about it all the time. Contractors are definitely looking for softer and kinder chemistry and Mavrik Aquaflo fits the bill.”
The break-through synthetic pyrethroid (SP) was launched in NZ in 2021 for use in beet crops.
Daren Mabey says while the industry has a tendency to be cautious about adopting new chemstry for crops where the stakes are high, Mavrik Aquaflo proved an exception.
“The benefits stood out from the start, it’s very effective at combatting destructive pests while avoiding harm to users and beneficial insects. It received a big tick!”
Tau-fluvalinate, the unique, low toxicity active in Mavrik Aquaflois proven to be much safer for beneficials than other SPs available in the market, he says.
Nor does that come at the expense of efficacy.
Trials have shown that Mavrik Aquaflo provided a high degree of Nysius (Nysius huttoni) control and reduction of plant damage following one or two applications and prevented significant cutworm (Agrotis ipsilonaneituma) plant damage.
It could provide up to a month’s control compared with just 36-48 hours for organophosphates (OPs).
“That’s a significant advantage,” Mabey says.
Mavrik Aquaflo affects the nervous system of Nysius and cutworm after direct contact or ingestion.
While these pests are overcome, the impact on beneficials including ground beetles, bees and parasitic wasps, lacewings, hover-flies and ladybirds is minimal.
If uncontrolled, the economic impact of Nysius and cutworm can be substantial for farmers investing in high value forage brassica crops.
Nysius (also known as wheat bug) sucks the phloem from the shoots and young stems of emerging seedlings, leaving them weakened and prone to wind damage.
Particularly common in warm, dry areas, Nysius is a NZ native and is widely found nationwide.
Young cutworm will forage on leaves while the larger more destructive caterpillars can chew through seedlings, taking them out at ground level with devastating results.
Daren Mabey says Mavrik Aquaflo is entirely crop safe when applied to seedlings at cotyledon stage in a tank-mixture with Adama herbicides and other commonly used pesticides.
Application is recommended at seedling stage only when Nysius are active as temperatures rise during the day, as a first post-emergence spray, especially for fodder beet crops.
“Apply at first sign of pest presence and ensure good coverage of plants and surrounding soil.”
For more detail contact your local Adama commercial manager or visit www.adama.com.