What’s New in Greenhouse Crop Protection

With pests and diseases prone to developing resistance, it’s always nice to have as many options as possible for use in integrated pest management routines. These eight companies are offering new pest and disease control solutions that offer new modes of action, short re-entry intervals (REIs), broad-spectrum disease control, and more.

Inscalis (BASF)

Released: Early 2019 under different commercial trade names
Registered: Pending in the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico

“Inscalis insecticide is a pioneer solution classified by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) as the only member in the new mode of action subgroup 9D,” says Joe Lara, Senior Product Manager. “This innovative product delivers high efficacy with long-lasting control of problematic piercing/sucking insect pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and certain psyllids, scales, and leafhoppers.”

According to Lara, Inscalis has exceptional activity, is fast acting, and offers a new resistance management tool with a favorable environmental profile.

Broadform (Bayer)

Released: Summer 2018
Registered: Federally, state labels to follow

“Broadform is a new fungicide providing broad-spectrum disease control particularly well-suited for protecting bedding plants,” says Aaron Palmateer, Bayer Green Solutions Team Specialist. “The product contains two active ingredients — fluopyram (FRAC 7) and trifloxystrobin (FRAC 11) — which, together, target many fungal plant pathogens affecting ornamental plants.”

The fungicide controls 20-plus diseases, including Alternaria, Anthracnose, Black Spot of Rose, Botrytis, Scab, Septoria leaf spot, Myrothecium leaf spot, rusts, and powdery mildews, according to the company. It is also labeled for Rhizoctonia, Diplodia, Botryosphaeria, and Phomopsis.

PVent Biological Fungicide (BioSafe Systems)

Released: May/June 2018
Registered: Pending registration in all 50 states

PVent is a new addition to BioSafe Systems’ PAA+ product line.  PVent controls soil-borne plant pathogens and foliar pathogens and is ideal for use on greenhouse and nursery ornamentals and greenhouse edibles. It can be applied by soil substrate or hydroponic solution incorporation and drench or foliar spray.

“PVent is an excellent addition to BioSafe’s product portfolio,” says Jeff Kline, Professional Products Segment Manager at BioSafe. “It gives growers a new tool for botrytis that is low in REI and helps to meet their sustainability initiatives.”

TerraCyte PRO (BioSafe Systems)

Released: 2018
Registered: All 50 states by the end of the year

TerraCytePRO is a solid, stabilized form of hydrogen peroxide. When activated with water, this fungicide forms an alkaline peroxide. The product has a strong environmental profile and is labeled for use on ornamentals, as well as edibles. It protects against bacterial and fungal leaf spot, algae, moss, liverwort, slime mold, and spores.

“TerraCytePRO’s unique chemistry provides an immediate reduction of contaminants on a plant’s surface and uses pH adjustments to change the environment and inhibit future disease growth,” Kline says.

PreFence (BioWorks)

Released: January 2018
Registered: All states except for Alaska, California, District of Colombia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and South Dakota.

“PreFence provides added efficacy against root diseases in programs with RootShield PLUS+ for the control of Fusarium, Alternaria, and Phomopsis,” says Jeff Luke, Marketing Manager for BioWorks. “It also works to suppress Botrytis, Aspergillus, Pythium, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia.”

According to Luke, PreFence contains a naturally occurring bacterial strain isolated from sphagnum peat. It is a reliable tool to control damping-off, wilt, and root diseases. PreFence is also approved for organic production, is compatible with biological and integrated pest management programs, has a very low risk of resistance, and is safer for humans, the environment, and beneficials.

Captiva Prime (Gowan)

Released: March 2018
Registered: All 50 states and Puerto Rico

“Captiva Prime is the improved, OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute)-listed version of our original Captiva,” says Geoff Smith, Gowan’s Midwest and Formulator Sales representative. “The product is designed to work with your current spray program to enhance the benefits of other products in the tank. When used alone, Captiva Prime acts as a general repellant and keeps pest populations from building.”

Captiva Prime works in two phases. First, the essential oils in the formula volatilize and drive mites and thrips out of their hiding places. Second, the plant-based oleoresins stick around on the leaf surface, irritating the pests and making the leaves unpalatable.

EcoSwing (Gowan)

Released: June 2018
Registered: Pending in all 50 states and Puerto Rico

EcoSwing is a plant-extract-based fungicide that works preventatively and curatively against a few key greenhouse pathogens. The botanical fungicide protects against powdery mildew, botrytis, and phytophthora.

“EcoSwing helps prevent the establishment and spread of key greenhouse pathogens,” Smith says. “It’s plant-based, OMRI listed, and has a short REI and zero-day preharvest interval for those growing edible crops indoors. EcoSwing also triggers the plant to defend itself by priming the plants’ own defense mechanisms.”

EcoSwing was developed in the cut flower industry and is safe for the vegetative and flowering stage of the plants.

Kalmar (OHP)

Released: June 2018
Registered: Federally; state registrations are in process

“Kalmar is an OMRI-listed, copper-based fungicide labeled for use in ornamentals, including bedding plants, woodies, and edibles,” says Andy Seckinger, Marketing Manager.  “It provides highly effective control of fungal and bacterial diseases, and it controls resistant strains of disease. It is also economical and can be part of a complete disease-control rotation package.

Pycana (recently renamed as Pac O) (OHP)

Released: June 2018
Registered: Federally; state registrations are in process

Pycana (Pac O) insecticide/miticide is a combination of a botanical oil (canola) and a natural pyrethrum insecticide that controls insects, mites, and powdery mildew. It protects against a long list of insects including aphids, thrips, spider mites, psyllids, and more, and is OMRI listed.

Some of the insecticide’s advantages include: No residual effects on beneficials, it kills all stages of insects including eggs, it has a zero-day preharvest interval, and a 12-hour REI.

Segovis (Syngenta)

Released: Early 2018 in California and New York
Registered: All 50 states, except Hawaii

“Powered by a novel mode of action, Segovis offers a unique class of chemistry and rotational tool for controlling diseases caused by downy mildew and Phytophthora spp. fungi, which are prone to developing resistance,” says Nancy Rechcigl, Technical Services Manager for Ornamentals.

“Segovis is systemic and can provide long residual control when applied as a spray or drench. It offers added convenience and versatility with many labeled-use sites, 4-hour REI, no signal word, and minimal personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed.”

The fungicide is listed in Michigan State University’s recommended program for downy mildew control.