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Downy Mildew Control a Doomsday Scenario in 2022?
For those who still doubted why downy mildew in onions the name peronospora destructor wears, that doubt will have ended in 2021. The (weather) conditions suitable for this fungus and the constant presence of sources of infection have contributed locally to very significant yield and quality losses. And then this year the sector still had access to mancozeb-containing products for the most part.
It is therefore easy to predict a doomsday scenario for 2022. Whether the well-known soup is really eaten so hot depends mainly on the weather conditions between early June and mid-August next year.
Points of concern
There are several things that make a 'carefree' control of downy mildew in 2022 not self-evident. The starting material for the second-year onion set cultivation has not been harvested disease-free everywhere this year. The latent presence of downy mildew will therefore already be a fact before 2022.
With the disappearance of the mancozeb-containing fungicides, the sector not only loses flexibility in the control of downy mildew, but also the resistance breaker in the fungicide schedule. There will be 2022 products available in 3 that have an excellent preventive effect against downy mildew. However, 2 of these products are based on the same active ingredient and 2 products are also based on the same group of active ingredients.
In terms of resistance management – 1 of the 8 pillars of integrated cultivation – we are on thin ice with this. It is therefore necessary to follow the guidelines drawn up by the FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee) for this purpose as closely as possible for the preservation of these 3 products in the future. And if you expect manufacturers to quickly roll out a new product... Those days are really behind us!
The Statutory Instructions for Use (WG) is always leading for plant protection products. The label of each product leaves no doubt about the conditions for its safe use. Together with the FRAC guidelines and the spectrum of action of the different products, it forms the basis for every scheme.
By thinking in good time about the options for disease control in onions in 2022, you can better respond to the prevailing conditions during the season. Also think of various IPM-related matters such as sophisticated fertilization, the use of a BOS system, the choice of variety or, for example, sowing in the most common wind direction, so that the foliage dries just a little faster and an infection may have less chance. In addition, make sure you know the properties of the various diseases and the application conditions of the available products.
For Fandango en Luna Experience You will find the properties in the table below:
More information?
Also view the Crop page Onions for a complete overview of articles, recommendations, products and more.
