ADVERTORIAL Syngenta
Agronomist Des May, of Delta Ag, in WA, used SIMODIS® insecticide in capsicums last summer.
SIMODIS® insecticide from Syngenta has been exceeding expectations across the country.
Words Syngenta
WHILE it has a novel mode of action (Group 30) to manage a range of insect pests in fruiting vegetable, cucurbit, bulb and brassica vegetable crops, SIMODIS® insecticide also provides flexibility in application timing, sunlight stability and rain-resistant qualities, making it highly desirable among users who have had some spectacular results.
We’ve never seen a result like this
Agronomist Des May, from Delta Ag, said he received a phone call from a Carnarvon grower about a month after their capsicum crop was planted.
“We went and had a look and the damage was significant. It had affected 80–90 per cent of the planted crop.”
There was a spectrum of pests identified, including western flower thrips. SIMODIS® insecticide, from Syngenta, had recently been released targeting mites, thrips and heliothis and so Mr May thought it might be a good option.
“We introduced SIMODIS® and had two sprays back-to-back – eight or nine days apart and it virtually took out 95 per cent of the pest,” he said.
“We’ve never seen a result like this before, it was fantastic.”
“The thrips tear the growing tips apart. It looks like they’ve been hit by herbicide or a virus. After we put the two lots of SIMODIS® on, the capsicums regenerated, they were back in action, which is fantastic.”
The damage to the crop had been of great concern to the grower.
“They were at their wits end, to be honest,” Mr May said. “They tried a couple of things, but they were unsuccessful. When you spray stuff that doesn’t work, it gets very expensive so they were open for any input we could give.
“It was a great result with SIMODIS® and they were very, very happy.”
My new “go-to” insecticide
Further south, in Manjimup, Muirs agronomist Ryan Bradshaw, said diamondback moth (DBM) was a constant threat throughout the summer in the region’s broccoli, cabbages and cauliflower crops.
“Once we start cutting hay the DBM pressure goes right up. We get halfway through the first planting and then you’re on.
Last season there was continuous pressure from DBM and a wide range of chemistries were used in an attempt to control the pest.
“We used our normal chemistry up very quickly and started to get less and less of a result,” Mr Bradshaw said.
“We put in SIMODIS® and I came back three days later and couldn’t find anything moving. It was a good result.”
A major benefit of SIMODOS® is its classification as a Group 30 insecticide, which can be used as an alternative to the suite of other chemical groups currently being used.
“A lot of the other products are aging and there seems to be a lot of resistance everywhere,” Mr Bradshaw said.
“Trying to find, and use, the right products at the right stage, is really tricky. That’s why SIMODIS® was really good. We can place it at any point and have really good results.”
“Last year it was my go-to.”
He said other chemistries, such as the Group 28s, were a vital part of growing vegetables and should be protected.
“A new group is always well received. It is very important. New groups really make the difference.”
Going forward, SIMODIS® insecticide will play a critical role in controlling DBM and rotating chemistry to extend the life of other groups.
“I will use SIMODIS® as a break for the other chemistries and I see a fit for it in the middle and towards the end of the program,” Mr Bradshaw said. “It really cleans up and we don’t see any problems at harvest. You’re not finding DBM alive in broccoli, cabbages, or cauliflower — it’s just not there.”
The lack of pests in the produce at harvest reduces the labour needed to prepare the vegetables for market.
“If we can keep it clean towards the end, we don’t need to spend time peeling leaves off the outside of the heads because the residual control of SIMODIS® has kept on top of it the whole way through.”
Muirs agronomist, Ryan Bradshaw, Manjimup, WA, introduced SIMODIS® insecticide into brassica vegetables, last season, with some fantastic results.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on SIMODIS® insecticide, please visit Syngenta.com.au/simodis or speak with your local
Syngenta representative.
® Registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company.
* Registered trademark
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalising rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com.au and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter® at https://x.com/SyngentaANZ