Leek growers can now use Amistar Top to control disease, maximise green leaf and enhance crop quality this season. With late season disease applications set to go on over the coming weeks - to counter a rapidly increasing risk of Rust - approval for the broad-spectrum fungicide has come just in time, reports Syngenta Technical Manager, Jon Ogborn.
Amistar Top (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole) approval for leeks, announced this week (27 September), follows on from the fungicide's approval for carrot disease control earlier this year.
"Prospects for the leek crop look good, since yields are holding up well in contrast to many other vegetable crops that suffered over the hot summer," reports Mr Ogborn. "Leek crops destined for autumn and winter lifting are still growing well in the warm, moist conditions, but risk from Rust is running high."
Amistar Top will protect the crop very effectively against Rust, along with Purple Blotch and White Tip, adds Mr Ogborn. "Application later in the season will help retain green leaf for longer - producing a more attractive and more marketable crop." Growers can use up to two applications of Amistar Top per crop, each of 1 l/ha. Application can be made up to 21 days before harvest.
"This is the first time ever that leek growers have had the opportunity to use the curative and protectant properties of difenoconazole, combined with the world's leading strobilurin, azoxystrobin," added Mr Ogborn. "Amistar Top gives growers the full benefit of a powerful strobilurin and an effective triazole in combination."
