BASF: Two new cereal fungicides for 2009

BASF has received approval for two new triazole-based cereal fungicides in time for the 2009 growing season.
Christened Brutus and Ennobe, the duo herald the arrival of significant formulation advances shown to improve disease control, leaf cover, rain-fastness (for Brutus) and yields compared with other triazole-based products on the UK market.
According to a HGCA fungicide dose response briefing by Adas’ Jonathan Blake, both products perform significantly better than their component parts because of the quality of their formulation, not just as a result of active ingredient loading.
Brutus (epoxiconazole + metconazole) is a visually strong, highly curative fungicide approved for application from T0 – T3.  However, it is ideally suited to the T2 timing where Septoria pressure is often greatest, as well as the T3 timing where it delivers a valuable addition to ear disease management and DON control, as well as curative activity to the flag leaf.
It has a wide disease spectrum, dose rate flexibility and can be applied to spring and winter wheat, durum wheat, spring and winter barley as well as triticale and rye.
“The combination of these two highly effective triazoles delivers demonstrable superior disease control over straight traizole products such as Opus and prothioconazole,” Dr Rosie Bryson, BASF’s cereal fungicide manager, said. “The product label describes additional benefits which includes the DON reduction claim, as well as prolonged persistence of disease control leading to increased yield.
“These added benefits will give confidence to milling wheat growers who need to tackle problematic ear diseases and the threat of mycotoxins as well as all cereal producers who are looking to maximise yield,” Dr Bryson added. “The HGCA dose response work shows the value of Brutus as a Septoria control product; it is a step change from what is already on the market.”
BASF claims that Brutus has exacting formulation standards which deliver more disease control than if the straight products were used separately. The formulation has also been designed to give a very even spread along the leaf, it is quick-drying and is quickly rain-fast.
Brutus is also recommended as a very good tank mix partner with Tracker.
The product will be distributed through Hutchinsons and Masstock.

Diseases controlled on the Brutus Label.