The mild winter and the recent heavy rain has increased the risk of disease problems in brassica crops and the early application of Signum at first signs of disease or before infection is first seen is advised to ensure excellent levels of control and good quality end-produce, according to BASF.
"Producing quality disease-free produce for the ever-more demanding retail sector is vital and good disease control across a range of diseases is a must. With Signum the crop looks greener and healthier which is better for the retailer and customer," reports Dave Marris, BASF Field Vegetable Manager.
"Recommended in Brussels sprouts, cabbages and cauliflowers, Signum gives excellent control of dark leaf spot (Alternaria brassicae) and white blister (Albugo candida) and useful control of ringspot (Mycosphaerella brassicola). This broad-spectrum activity makes it an important brassica fungicide. Certainly it has been well received by brassica growers and retailers alike, as it offers long lasting broad-spectrum control in high pressure years and helps in the production of clean, high quality samples with good leaf appearance," he says.
Signum has been shown to enhance both yield and crop quality. In Brussels sprouts, a programme of Signum alone reduced the level of unsightly ringspot on the buttons from 26% on the untreated down to 3% and the level of white blister from 2.5% on the untreated down to zero. This outperformed a programme containing difenconazole.
"Because of the long latent period of white blister, if symptoms are seen it would be advisable to add a tank mix of a product containing some kick-back activity like metalaxyl-m," says Dave.
"Both the active ingredients in Signum, boscalid and pyraclostrobin, have activity on powdery mildew making it the fungicide with the broadest spectrum of activity. In white cabbage the performance of Signum against Alternaria is also excellent. In trials it reduced the percentage of diseased plants from 100% in the untreated down to 9% and the percentage of leaves down from 18% in the untreated to just 1%. The Signum programme also resulted in a 21% yield increase over the untreated," says Simon Townsend, Product Stewardship Manager for BASF.
Simon advises that Signum is applied early and at the approved dose rate. "The first Signum spray should be applied to brassicas as a protectant application before the first signs of disease are seen at a dose rate of 1 kg/ha in water volumes of 200 litres. Further sprays can be made 3 to 4 week intervals, alternating with products from a different resistance group."
Background Notes - Signum contains 267g/kg boscalid and 67g/kg pyraclostrobin, formulated as a WDG. It is a protectant and systemic fungicide. It is recommended in Brussels Sprouts for the control of white blister (Albugo candida) and ringspot (Mycosphaerella brassicola) and in cabbage and cauliflower for the control of dark leaf spot (Alternaria brassicae) and ringspot. Signum is applied as a protectant spray or at first signs of disease at a dose rate of 1 kg/ha in a minimum of 200 litres of water. Further sprays can be made at 3 to 4 week intervals. It is subject to LERAP B and has a harvest interval of 14 days for brassicas.
