Omnia is a New Zealand based company, with international shareholders. The company has developed a comprehensive range of Agricultural and Horticultural products, with a focus on plant health.
UPDATE ON SPOTLESS – Use in relation to possible chemical combinations for Psa management
Recently, many different chemical compounds/products have been tank mixed and applied on kiwifruit foliage giving a combination of variable results. During this new dynamic period, Psa V has seen the kiwifruit industry apply chemicals during periods they were never designed to be applied and also in combinations that are not appropriate. As an industry we all understand why these activities are taking place so, to assist Omnia have undertaken some independent trials to investigate the use of our products (specifically Spotless™) in combination with other possible compounds during these periods. Read more…
Spotless has been approved for control of the bacterial canker Pseudomonas syringae pv. Actinidiae (Psa)* in kiwifruit.
With broad spectrum fungicides, bactericide and elicitors, Spotless offers unique three way protection.
Spotless contains fungicidal and bactericidal activity against against Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), Sclerotinia in kiwifruit, leaf spot (Peacock spot) in olives, and blackspot and powdery mildew on apples.
Spotless also contains unique plant elicitors that turn on the plants natural defence system which supports the action of the fungicide to provide superior disease control.
*The efficacy of this product for control of Psa is currently supported by limited laboratory and greenhouse data and is therefore not fully proven at this stage.
Application
Used every 10 – 14 days, Spotless is ideal for managing the high bacterial infection period from green tip to the end of flowering. Highly infected areas should apply Spotless every
10 days, with areas of less infection doing so every 14 days; growers should consider their location and weather patterns when deciding on application intervals.
Apply at a rate of 4 litres per hectare (see label for details before application).
While bee-safe, it should be applied at times when bees are not ‘working’ (as with all spray applications to kiwifruit vines).
Management of Psa
The outbreak of Psa in kiwifruit orchards in the Bay of Plenty is unfortunate for an industry which prides itself as almost spray free.
The first sign of infection are often chlorotic spotting, which is caused by a toxin entering leaf tissues where it disrupts cell/organelle membranes.
P.syringae can cause extensive stem and branch dieback during spring following a cold night when adequate moisture is present.
Omnia NZ has developed products that will assist in fighting the Psa problem. Spotless is a broad spectrum fungicide and bactericide which has curative and protective activity against Psa (limited claim)* and could be of great value as part of a Psa protection programme for kiwifruit.
Read more valuable research on bacteria management from Omnia’s Dr Adrian Spiers
Weather conditions condusive to high bacterial inoculum buildup
Psa can cause extensive stem and branch dieback during spring following cold nights when adequate moisture is present. All bacterial diseases are assisted by rainfall and frost and accordingly symptoms will become more prevalent after a wet late winter and spring.
Examination of climate records during the period when severe attacks of P. syringae were experienced (November-February), rainfall was 64% more (194 mm more than average) and rain fell on 52 out of the 120 days during the period.
Numerous studies have underlined the key role of rain in determining the magnitude of epiphytic and stem populations. Latorre et al (1985) reported populations of P. syringae greater than 10,000-100,000 cfu/g of bud tissue only during wet periods then declined to low or undetectable levels during dry periods.
Availability and Pricing
Spotless is available in 10 and 20 litre containers with pricing approximately $80 per hectare.
Psa Questions and Spotless Purchases
For Psa enquiries, more information and to purchase Spotless now freephone
0800 774 629 or click here to send us an enquiry or view other contact options
