11th April 2007
Quell Flo delivers strong protectant disease control
plus vital extra nutrition at T1 timing
As T1 timing approaches, the choice of fungicide treatment
in wheat should revolve around diseases present or likely
to develop, the variety sown, the weather conditions and
the resistance situation. But some fungicides are used because
they add that little extra by their multi-site resistance-proofing
activity and their ability to deliver extra crop nutrition.
“T1 sprays are usually applied to control diseases
already present and to prevent any further disease onset
for the following six week period. T1 treatments normally
go on around mid to late April when the crop is at GS 32,
a critical time as it corresponds with the emergence of
leaf 3. T1 treatments are based around a triazole and a
multi-site protectant fungicide, such as mancozeb or chlorothalonil.
Quell Flo (mancozeb) is used in preference, particularly
in situations where wheat is grown on lighter soils or in
soils with a higher pH and so are likely to suffer from
manganese deficiency. This year many wheats are well forward
in their growth stages, but are looking as though they would
benefit from some extra elemental manganese and zinc which
Quell can deliver, along with its disease protectant activity,”
says Jeff Summers of Countrywide Farmers.
“Readily available, Quell Flo is a leading multi-site
compound which gives good protectant activity against a
number of foliar diseases including Septoria tritici, mildew,
yellow and brown rusts in wheat. It also delivers manganese
and zinc that helps feed the crop. A 1.5 l/ha dose of Quell
Flo delivers 683 gms of mancozeb per hectare, 140 gms/ha
of nutritional manganese and 13 gms/ha of zinc which makes
the crop greener, leading to improved photosynthesis,”
explains Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm
(UK) Ltd.
Jeff Summers has already seen the extra nutritional benefits
of Quell when used at T0 timing this year. “We have
probably used more T0 sprays this year as crops were advanced,
the winter was mild and there was a high disease inoculum,
particularly Septoria tritici and yellow rust, early on.
This year we have used Quell Flo alone at T0, but on the
variety Robigus we have added in a low rate triazole to
add to the yellow rust control.”
According to Dr. Stormonth, including Quell in the wheat
programme also introduces an important anti-resistance strategy
into the crop. “With resistance and performance drift
of triazoles and strobilurins being so widespread, the multi-site
activity of mancozeb ensures good disease protection and
adds to its tank-mix partner’s effectiveness. Quell
is formulated as a flowable for easy handling by cereal
farmers and can be tank mixed with a wide range of other
treatments such as growth regulators, triazoles, strobilurins
or spring herbicides.”
“Mancozeb offers simple multi-site chemistry to protect
and to help feed the crop. It is one of the lowest cost
options available and should be part of any T1 treatment
this year, particularly when some competitor protectant
products are apparently in short supply,” concludes
Dr. Stormonth.
Quell Flo contains 455g/L mancozeb formulated as a suspension
concentrate. It is approved for use in wheat, oilseed rape
and potatoes. In cereals it is recommended at a dose rate
of 1.5 l/ha up to 3.3 l/ha. The maximum total crop dose
is 9.9 l/ha. It has a Harvest Interval of up to GS 71 (grain
watery ripe) and no LERAP. It is packed in a 10 litre container.
For further comment and information, please contact
1) Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm (UK)
Ltd. on 01354 741414 or 07818 036506 (mobile)
