Gazelle granted SOLA for spinach, cress and herb crops

Horticultural insecticide Gazelle SG (acetampiprid) has been granted an off-label approval by the Chemical Regulatory Directorate (CRD) for use on outdoor and protected crops of spinach, cress and annual and perennial herbs.

Alan Horgan Certis’ technical officer explains that following the extension of use; "Spinach, cress and herb growers have the opportunity to target aphid species including Myzus persicae and Nasonovia ribisnigri," he says.

"Gazelle SG offers rapid knockdown of a range of biting, sucking and chewing pests, with knockdown on some aphid species including Aphis gossypii occurring in as little as 20 minutes," explains Alan.

"Its three-way contact, translaminar and systemic activity is particularly useful where species are hidden within plant structures and when complete coverage isn’t possible.

"For protected cress, spinach and herb crops the maximum individual dose is 250g/ha. Growers can make two applications per crop, providing they ensure the 3 day harvest interval isn’t exceeded," he advises.

"And for outdoor crops the only difference is that there is a 7 day harvest interval," says Alan.

Applications can be made using either a conventional hydraulic sprayer or hand held applicators using a minimum water volume of 200 litres/ha.

Certis advise growers incorporate Gazelle within a programme, alternating with other products of different modes of action in a recognised anti-resistance strategy.

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