have supported the re-registration of the key active ingredient iprodione and are launching a new water dispersible formulation, Rovral WG, for use in a wide range of crops including Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, onions, lettuce, oilseed rape, strawberries and raspberries.
"The new formulation of Rovral has the practical advantage of being a Water Dispersible Granule formulation, making it much easier to measure and to use, with minimal problems of dust. As a concentrated formulation, it also means less bulk, less packaging and less waste to contend with. We have also found that the new formulation is much kinder to the crop. Trials on glasshouse lettuce, as an example, have demonstrated that the WG has enhanced crop safety compared with the older WP formulation," says Simon Townsend, Agronomy Manager for BASF.
"Inevitably with a re-registration process the product label will change. Some crop uses including cereals, broccoli, field beans, outdoor tomatoes and stubble turnips are no longer supported. But growers can still use the new Rovral WG on Brussels sprouts, cauliflowers, bulb onions, salad onions, protected tomatoes, protected lettuce, outdoor lettuce, outdoor and protected strawberries, outdoor raspberries, brassica seed crops, outdoor ornamental pot plants, protected pot plants, winter oilseed rape and spring oilseed rape – still a substantial and impressive list," points out Simon.
Simon advises growers and advisors to check the new label carefully as there have also been some rate alterations and changes in the maximum number of applications and the latest time of application. "For example in lettuce the dose rate is now 33 g per 100 litres of water, the maximum number of applications is now 3 and the new Harvest Interval is 21 days. In brassica seed crops applied as a foliar treatment, the new rate of use for Rovral WG is 0.67 kg/ha, with a maximum 3 applications and a reduced Harvest Interval of 14 days. It is important that all the changes are well understood by growers and advisors who are planning their disease control programmes."
Simon also pointed out that Rovral WG can be applied in a reduced-volume spray without reducing the dose. However with reduced volume spraying there are conditions attached to ''The Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Plant Protection Products' that growers need to be aware of and adhere to.
"Rovral WG is a particularly effective fungicide with strong protectant and some eradicant activity. It is an important fungicide for many fruit, salad, ornamental and vegetable growers whose armoury of products appears to be waning whilst the pressures on disease resistance is increasing. BASF are keen to support the UK agricultural industry by continuing to invest in new uses and approvals for smaller but important cropping sectors," says Matthew Blaken, BASF Field Vegetable Manager.
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For further comment and information please contact;
1) Matthew Blaken, BASF on 0161 488 5902 or 07748 932555 (mobile)
2) Simon Townsend, BASF on 01845 537072 or 07836 738161 (mobile)
