The AWRI publication Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture 2014/2015 (‘Dog Book’) is now available. This agrochemical update summarises the major changes in the 2014/2015 ‘Dog Book’ compared with the previous version.
Timing chemical application to growth stage
The following statement is emphasised on page 3 to better meet target withholding periods and satisfy export market maximum residue limits (MRL).
GRAPEVINE GROWTH-STAGE CAN BE VARIABLE ACROSS A BLOCK. WHEN ASSESSING GRAPEVINE PHENOLOGY FOR THE PURPOSE OF APPLYING AGROCHEMICALS, BASE THE ASSESSMENT ON THE MOST ADVANCED VINES IN THE BLOCK TO MINIMISE THE POSSIBILITY OF RESIDUES AT HARVEST.
Footnotes
Footnotes are now printed at the bottom of the page where they appear.
Active constituents and targets
TEBUCONAZOLE + AZOXYSTROBIN
APVMA 66541
Custodia has been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for control of Botrytis and downy mildew in grapevines.
Custodia is a Farmoz Pty Ltd product. It contains the active constituents tebuconazole and azoxystrobin. It should be used as a protectant treatment only.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 80% capfall.
Resistance management strategy: Do not apply more than two consecutive sprays of Custodia. Do not apply more than two sprays of Custodia per season. Do not use Custodia curatively.
SULFOXAFLOR
APVMA 64101
Transform has been granted registration by the APVMA for control of longtailed mealybug in grapevines.
Transform is a Dow AgroSciences product. It contains the active constituent sulfoxaflor.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 80% capfall.
Resistance management strategy: Do not apply consecutive applications of products from the same mode of action group (Group 4C).
Notes: Transform should not be used more than twice per season.
CYPROCONAZOLE + IODOCARB
APVMA 47914
Garrison Rapid Pruning Wound Dressing has been granted registration by the APVMA for control of eutypa dieback in grapevines.
Garrison Rapid Pruning Wound Dressing is a Chemcolour Industries Australia Pty Ltd product. It contains the active constituents cyproconazole + iodocarb.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Not required when used as directed.
Notes: Dormant spray. Apply on the same day as pruning. Do not apply during the growing season.
Botrytis bunch rot
The active constituent cyprodinil was listed for Botrytis bunch rot. A withholding period of ‘Use no later than E-L 29, berries peppercorn size (4mm diameter). Do not use within 60 days of harvest’ applies. Until now the fungicide cyprodinil was only available in co-formulated form with fludioxonil.
Grape leaf blister mite
The active constituent paraffinic oil was listed for grape leaf blister mite. A restriction on use of ‘Dormant spray only’ applies.
Grapevine scale
Listings of 1B insecticides registered for grapevine scale were removed from the ‘recommendations’ section of the ‘Dog Book’. A footnote stating ‘Some group 1B insecticides are registered for grapevine scale. Contact your winery or grape purchaser prior to any 1B insecticide application’ was added.
Grapevine growth stage description
More detail has been added to the grapevine growth stage descriptions.
Budburst: When the first green tips are visible (E-L 4).
5% capfall: E-L stage 19-20; flowers have just begun to open and the first caps have lifted and fallen off. No developing berries present.
80% capfall: E-L stage 25; 80% caps have just lifted and the largest berries are no more than 2 mm in diameter.
E-L stage 29: Just after berry set, berries peppercorn size (4 mm diameter); bunches tending downwards.
Pre-bunch closure: E-L stage 31; Berries have reached pea-size (7 mm diameter); bunches hanging down.
Veraison: E-L stage 35; when 50% of berries begin to soften and sugar starts increasing.
The grapevine growth stage table from Viticulture 1 – Resources. 2nd edition 2004. Eds Dry, P. and Coombe, B. (Winetitles) is now published in full on page 13 of the ‘Dog Book’.
Insecticide
Following a review by the APVMA, dimethoate is registered for aphids, jassids, mites, thrips, and Queensland fruit fly in viticulture. Follow label directions and contact your winery or grape purchaser prior to any 1B insecticide application.
Label restriction on use: Do not use after flowering commences (E-L 19).
Resistance management
For fungal pests where resistance is an issue, the following statement has been added to the bottom of the page: ‘Fungicide resistance in this pathogen has been reported. Review resistance management strategies on page 22 and follow the directions’.
The powdery mildew resistance management strategy has been updated to include Group U6 (phenyl-acetamide) fungicides.
Correction
A chlorothalonil product Chlornil Pro is listed for black spot and downy mildew. This should read Chloronil Pro and it should also be listed for Botrytis.
The chlorothalonil product Chlornil (listed for black spot, Botrytis and downy mildew) should read Chlornil 720 SC.
This information is provided to inform the Australian grape and wine sector of agrochemical information, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement.