Arable farmers are now used to the fact that crucial crop protection products disappear from the cupboard every year. The year 2022 is no exception. Onion cultivation in particular is having a hard time in terms of fungal and insecticide control. In addition, the number of additional requirements is increasing and the cost price is rising sharply. We list the changes for 2022 and 2023.
Onion cultivation has perhaps been hit the hardest. Last year already with the disappearance of Chlorine IPC and Pyramin. From 2022, this also applies to Bromotril and Emblem. This has made weed control a lot more difficult. This year the problems were still somewhat manageable. Cultivation advisors fear problems, especially in a dry spring. Small groundsel in particular is difficult to get rid of once it is there. The only alternative that growers now have is the hoeing machine.
Consequences of the loss of products containing mancozeb
A lot will change in the field of fungal control in onions and potatoes next season. mancozeb will be banned as of 2022. This active substance is not only relatively cheap, but is also used in many products. The mancozeb-like products include a whole range of products, including the Curzate group, Valbon, Fubol Gold and Acrobat DF. There are also solo-mancozeb products. This means that every potato or onion grower must work with a Zorvec product. For potatoes these are Zorvec Endavia and Zorvec Ntec. For onions, this concerns Zorvec Endavia and Orondis Plus with Amistar.
Two important factors play a role in mold control. Thus, the FRAC guideline. This revolves around resistance management in fungal control. "According to the guideline, a maximum of 33% of the spray program may be done with products that use the active ingredient oxathiapiprolin," explains Delphy advisor Luc Remijn. "Referred to in short as 'OPP products'. In addition, only half of the spraying may be done with strobilurins." Next season, three products will be available with a preventive effect against downy mildew. Two use the same active substance and two belong to the OPP group.
Spray schedule up to €325 more expensive
In addition to finding a well-suited spray schedule, there is another challenge. This increases costs considerably. The freely produced mancozeb was a relatively cheap drug. The alternatives are considerably more expensive. "In a year with high disease pressure, an onion spray schedule goes from €250 to €525 per hectare," says onion specialist Remijn. In potatoes, Alternaria may also be more difficult to control with the disappearance of mancozeb.
In addition to fungal control, important changes are taking place in insecticide control. In potatoes (aphids) and onions (thrips), but also root aphid in carrots and chicory. For example, it is very likely that the Batavia and Movento drugs will not receive new authorization. Bayer CropScience has not applied for re-registration for these products. A use-up period will probably apply in the course of 2022 and a ban will follow in 2024 or 2025. The supply in potatoes is thin, after the disappearance of Calypso and Bariard and recently Teppeki in seed potatoes. Only Gazelle and Antilop may be used before flowering and Closer and Sequoia after flowering. A possible addition in this area is also off the map, according to insiders.
Insecticides are having a hard time
"All insecticides are having a hard time," says Jan Salomons. He is a crop protection products expert at Delphy. "You have to deal with the side effects on insects that live in the water or on land: the non-target organisms. In open cultivation it is difficult to continue to meet the requirements. Perennial products usually have additional requirements. A high drift reduction class of 95% or 97,5% and an extra wide spray-free zone."
In the field of weed control, the challenges from 2022 (as mentioned) will mainly lie with onions. Safari (DuoActive) is not available in beets - but also chicory and chicory. It will probably be the end of the story from 2023, reports authorization holder FMC. With regard to fungal control in sugar beets, Mirador Xtra and Sphere have a use-up period next season. Retengo Plust (epoxyconazole) has already disappeared. Score, Spyrale and Bicanta are the three remaining alternatives. New cercospora-resistant varieties and the use of foliar fertilizers should help keep beet crops healthy.
New chapter for glyphosate
More exciting dossiers will be on the table next year. For example, various glyphosate-based products must be re-registered in the coming months. "It is possible that a use-up period will apply to the existing products and that the active substance will receive new authorization for a new product in 2023," Salomons thinks. He relies on information from Bayer. "The label for RoundUp Ultimate has now been adjusted. For example, crops may no longer be sprayed to death and no full-field application may take place before the emergence of a crop. The old label still has a use-up period of 2022 for Roundup Ultimate. It is possible that a new product will soon be used. may be used to kill (grass) green manures."
Another drug that will have to be used next year is Bonalan. Crucial for chicory and chicory. Agriculture Minister Carola Schouten previously voted against the extension in the Scopaff consultation. This is a 'big deal' for the aforementioned crops. Chicory processor Sensus is trying to do its part by obtaining approval and at the same time encouraging investment in mechanical weed control. However, a ban from 2023 is certainly a possibility.
Bright spots
Is there only negative news? There are bright spots, as Salomons also knows. "We still have various fungicides available in wheat. You notice that this is a large crop and that more resources are therefore being developed." It is possible that various new substances from grain cultivation can also be further developed in other arable crops in the coming years.
Briefly
The following resources will disappear in 2022, have a use-up period or are at risk: