By Jill
MacDonald, Perennia Research Associate
Introduction of Closed-system Transfer
For further details on changes to Bravo products, please visit Syngenta.ca.
Chlorothalonil
is a contact and protectant fungicide that controls a broad range of fungal
diseases. It is used on a number of crops. Due to the recent re-evaluation of
chlorothalonil by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) there are
changes that will affect how growers use the product, in relation to how it is
mixed, loaded and applied. While some formulations have experienced changes to
product use (Bravo®ZN), others have been discontinued altogether.
The
re-evaluation has caused a discontinuation of Bravo 500 and Ridomil Gold
SL/Bravo Twin-Pak formulations. The final day that these products will be
available for purchase is May 10th, 2020, and the final day that growers will
be able to make applications of these products is May 10, 2021. After
this time, it will be the responsibility of the grower to properly dispose of
any leftover product.
How will
these changes affect how I use chlorothalonil products?
Changes to Number of Applications Permitted
There
have been several use pattern changes made on Chlorothalonil labels, so it is
important to check how your crop is affected. The full list of changes, including application rates and
REIs can be found here.
Please confer with up-to-date labels before use.
Changes to the number of applications permitted per
season by crop:
Crop
|
2019
|
2020
|
Blueberry (Highbush)
|
3
|
2
|
Cabbage
|
5
|
2
|
Celery, field
|
9
|
2
|
Cherries (sweet and
sour)
|
4
|
3
(2 spring + 1 post-harvest)
|
Cole Crops
|
5
|
1
|
Cranberry
|
3
|
1
|
Cucurbit Vegetables
|
7
|
2
|
Onion, dry bulb
|
3
|
2
|
Onion, green
bunching
|
5
|
2
|
Peach, nectarine
|
4
|
3
(2 spring + 1 dormant)
|
Potato, table
|
12
|
3
|
Strawberry
|
3
|
3
(2 spring + 1 dormant)
|
Tomato (not for
processing)
|
9
|
2
|
Wheat
|
3
|
2
|
Additional PPE, Buffer Zone Changes and REI
New
requirements have been put in place to protect the applicator and persons who
are handling the product, by increasing the amount of personal protective
equipment (PPE) required. It is recommended to read the revised product label
to obtain information on PPE and changes to the buffer zone requirements and
restricted entry intervals (REI) for certain activities. Growers are reminded
to have the updated label available to staff members who may come in contact with
the product, as well as making them aware of the changes.
Implementation of Vegetative Filter Strips
Use of chlorothalonil requires a 10 meter (32’) vegetative filter strip
(VFS) to be planted, if there is an aquatic ecosystem downhill from the field
or sprayed area. A VFS is different than spray buffer zones: the filter strip
is typically perennial, hardy, deep-rooted native vegetation that can slow
runoff and filter out any pesticides that the runoff may contain.
 |
Figures were obtained from:
|
Introduction of Closed-system Transfer
The PMRA
will now require growers, under certain circumstances, to use a closed-transfer
and application system. The closed-system transfer specifically focuses on
mixing and loading of the product. All potato applications, or any
applications when more than 340 kg a.i. are handled in one day will be subject
to these requirements. When product is directly transferred from
the tote to the sprayer tank, this will now require dry poppet connections
which comply with closed-transfer. Dry poppets are available from several
manufactures and are also known by several names, such as dry poppet couplings
or valves. Syngenta currently supplies a female dry poppet to male cam lever
adapter with each tote of Bravo®ZN. Many chemical handling systems and sprayers
are fitted with cam lever connections from the factory, in this case you can
purchase a dry poppet to cam lever adapter. The existing dry poppet valves on
the 450L totes of Bravo®ZN are already compliant with the closed-system
transfer requirement and will not need to be altered.
 |
Figures were obtained from:
Additional Important Changes
Hand
harvesting of processing tomatoes and application through irrigation systems on
strawberries and cucurbits (cantaloupe, muskmelon, honeydew, squash, pumpkin,
watermelon and cucumber) is now prohibited.
For further details on changes to Bravo products, please visit Syngenta.ca.