The impact on beneficial insects and mites is a major consideration in Crop Care’s 2013 recommended spray programs for apples.
Fungicides that are known to have an adverse impact on biological control agents are not included unless there is no alternative with a better IPM profile.
Based on trials commissioned by Crop Care and other Australian and overseas data, the spray programs don’t recommend some commonly-used fungicides like mancozeb, because there is ample evidence they have a damaging effect on predatory mites, which assist in managing two-spotted mite and European red mite.
Instead the protectants CaptanWG and Delan 700WG are recommended for black spot, because they are extremely soft on a wide range of beneficial insects and mites in orchards.
Stroby 500WG is included for black spot and powdery mildew control during blossoming, after trials showed it to be low hazard to the predatory mite Galendromus occidentalis, the mealy bug predator ladybird Crytolaemus montrouzieri, and to bees.
Viva (also compatible with IPM programs) is included for blackspot and powdery mildew protection and to control bitter rot.
Crop Care has two miticides: Torque and Calibre 100EC that target two-spotted mite, European red mite and Bryobia mite, which are safe for IPM programs if they are used as directed on the label.
On the basis of monitoring, these products can be applied to assist control by biological agents.
For contact details, see Tree Fruit August 2013
