CROP GUARD SUGARCANE ADVISORY JUNE 2012 INTRODUCTION Trials on sugarcane were carried out to determine the efficacy of Crop Guard as a nematicide under dryland and irrigated field conditions. It was found that Crop Guard is effective as a nematicide when it is applied either in the furrow before plant or over the ratoon to soil of high moisture content. DOSAGE RATES Trials were conducted to determine the effective dosage rate at which Crop Guard should be applied to maximise the yield of sugarcane. From the resulting trials, it was concluded that the optimum dosage rate for Crop Guard on Sugarcane is 500 ml in 5 l of water/100 m row. APPLICATION INFORMATION Irrigated cane: Irrigate the field to near field capacity before the application of Crop Guard. Crop Guard is best applied through a Drip irrigation system. If the product is being applied through an irrigation system ( e.g. dosatron or centre pivot), then use a total of 10mm water for complete application. There is no need for further irrigation. Pre dilute the Crop Guard to a 10% solution and then inject it into the irrigation line, (or pour into reservoir tank), at an even rate to supply good coverage across the surface and length of the bed or field. If a surface application is being done (e.g. Knapsack or other boom sprayer) then follow with 10 mm irrigation water to allow for product to move through soil profile. Watering the Crop Guard into the soil immediately after application with at least 10mm water (within 15 minutes maximum 30 minutes after each application) allows for good distribution into the bed. The slower the irrigation rate the better the distribution profile of the active ingredient. Crop Guard may be applied using the same equipment used for chemical/fertilizer fertigation, provided the tank is cleaned before hand and the product is applied on its own. Do not add additional irrigation after application for at least 24 hours. Note: Water volume is based on the metric SI system: That is: 1 mm = 1 l (water) per m 2 surface area Illovo Sugar Limited, Crop Guard Sugarcane Advisory 2012 Page 1
Rainfed: Single application at planting in the furrow before the cane sett is laid, and covers up with soil afterwards. High moisture content of the soil is important for good efficacy under rainfed conditions Can surface apply just before rain, to get movement of product through the soil. FIELD TRIAL DATA Trial 1: Maragra Ratoon Commercial Trial Mozambique Crop Guard was applied using a tractor boom sprayer followed by irrigation. The product was applied to sugarcane of the N19 variety, 2 nd ratoon. TABLE 1 : COMPARISON OF THE TREATMENTS OF THE MOZAMBIQUE TRIAL TREATMENT AVERAGE MASS (KG) AVERAGE HEIGHT (CM) POL (%) Crop Guard (500 ml/100 m row) 46.83 184.35 14.35 Untreated control 29.00 155.01 12.99 % increase on the untreated control 61.48 18.93 10.47 Illovo Sugar Limited, Crop Guard Sugarcane Advisory 2012 Page 2
It is evident that Crop Guard results in an increase in average height and mass as well as Pol compared to the untreated control as the product acts on the plant parasitic nematodes. Trial 2: Mtwalume Plant Cane Registration Trial - KwaZulu Natal The products were applied in the furrow before sets were laid using a knapsack sprayer. This was a dryland trial. The product was applied to sugarcane of the NCo376 variety. TABLE 2 : ASSESSMENTS, YIELD AND SUCROSE DATA FROM THE MTWALUME TRIAL TREATMENTS STAND 3 MONTHS AFTER STAND 9 MONTHS AFTER YIELD (KG/PLOT) % OF *UTC SUCROSE CONTENT (G/STALK) Untreated Control 47.75 57-76.2 Crop Guard 400 ml 64.5 63 +2.8 - /100 m row Crop Guard 500 ml 56.75 69 +13.3 92.5 /100 m row Vydate 10G 30 kg/ha 57 72 +19 83.9 Graphic illustration of %Yield increase relative to Untreated control Yield 20 15 Yield (%) 10 5 0 Crop GuardTM 400ml/100m row Crop GuardTM 500 ml/100m row Vydate 10G 30 kg/ha Treatment It is evident that all treatments resulted in an increase in plant stand and yield compared to the untreated control. It can clearly be seen that the sucrose content for the Crop Guard 500 ml/100 m row treatment was greater than the UTC and Vydate 10G. These results are due to the effects of the different products on the plant parasitic nematodes. Crop Guard compared favourably with the registered product Vydate 10G and no phytotoxicity occurred. Illovo Sugar Limited, Crop Guard Sugarcane Advisory 2012 Page 3
Trial 3: Matubatuba Plant Cane Registration Trial The products were applied in the furrow before plant using a knapsack sprayer which was followed with irrigation. The product was applied to sugarcane of the N27 variety. TABLE 3 : ASSESSMENTS, YIELD AND SUCROSE DATA FROM THE MATUBATUBA TRIAL TREATMENTS STAND 30 DAYS AFTER STAND 74 DAYS AFTER YIELD (KG/PLOT) % OF *UTC SUCROSE CONTENT (G/STALK) Untreated Control 39 48-111.3 Crop Guard 500 ml/100 63 60 +27 115.0 m row Temik 15G (aldicarb) 20 kg/ha 65 63 +21 118.0 It is evident that the stand counts, yield and sucrose content are higher than the untreated control. Crop Guard 500 ml/100 m row results in an increase in biomass production and the overall yield of sucrose produced which compares well to the standard Temik 15G (aldicarb). These yield increases as seen were the highest of the KwaZulu Natal trials. Illovo Sugar Limited, Crop Guard Sugarcane Advisory 2012 Page 4
REGISTERED PRODUCT LABEL CROP DOSAGE RATE REMARKS Sugarcane Irrigated Cane Irrigated cane Plant nematodes parasitic Plant cane/ratoon cane Row application 500 ml Crop Guard in 5 l of water in a band 50 cm wide per 100 m plant row Follow-up application: (Optional Refer Notes) 250 ml Crop Guard in 5 l of water in a band 50cm wide per 100 m plant row, 4 weeks after the first application Apply in/over the furrow before plant to a well prepared land, irrigated to field capacity. Seal or incorporate to a depth of 200 mm. Irrigate with 10 mm of water directly after application. or Apply over the ratoon as a row application to land irrigated to field capacity Irrigate with 10 mm of water directly after application. Rainfed cane Plant cane Row application 500 ml Crop Guard in 5 l of water in a band 50 cm wide per 100 m plant row Rainfed cane Apply over/in the furrow before plant to a well prepared land of high moisture content Seal or incorporate to a depth of 200 mm Notes Follow-up applications may be applied at 4 week intervals anytime during the season in instances of high nematode pressure. High moisture content of the soil is important for good efficacy under rainfed conditions. Do not use on rainfed ratoon cane. Refer to 'Compatibility' and 'Product Properties and use restrictions'. Illovo Sugar Limited, Crop Guard Sugarcane Advisory 2012 Page 5