After the successful trial of Inno Ag Pro in Imperata Cylindrica (Cogongrass) in Oil Palm in Indonesia, another trial was conducted in China. The trial aimed to test the pesticide efficiency improvement with InnoAg Pro tank-mix against Downy Mildew of Pumpkin and Leaf Miner Insect.
Downy Mildew is a disease caused by the oomycete Pseudoperonospora cubensis. P. cubensis thrives in wet or very humid conditions and infects cucurbits including cucumber, melon, pumpkin, and squash. It causes yellow to brown lesions on top of the leaves that are restricted by leaf veins. As the lesions age, they usually become necrotic and the leaves often senesce. The leaves are the only portion of the plant directly affected by downy mildew. However, the loss in leaf surface can cause loss of yield, misshapen fruit, and sunscald.
Leaf Miners are the larval or maggot stage of several kinds of insects have developed this habit, including moths (Lepidoptera), beetles (Coleoptera), sawflies (Hymenoptera) and flies (Diptera). The adults insert eggs into leaves. Upon hatching, the larvae feed and develop within the leaf tissue and between leaf surfaces. They produce large patches or winding tunnels of dead tissue. The larvae are active for about two to three weeks. Unchecked damage can cause excessive leaf-drop and other severe effects. The feeding tunnels created on the foliage can become pathways for diseases or fungal spores.
The objective of this trial was to compare effectiveness of Difenoconazole and Cyromazine to control Downy Mildew and Leaf Miners, respectively, when applied alone and in conjunction with InnoAg Pro. Four treatments were performed with different dose combinations of Difenoconazole and Cyromazine tank-mixed with InnoAg Pro. After application four follow-ups were done. The treatments are described below:
T1: Control
T2: Difenoconazole and Cyromazine (600g+375ml/ha) Application: Foliar
T3: Difenoconazole, Cyromazine and InnoAg Pro (450g+281.3ml+300ml/ha) Application: Foliar.
T4: Difenoconazole, Cyromazine and InnoAg Pro (300g+187.5ml+300ml/ha) Application: Foliar.
InnoAg Pro is a bio-nano adjuvant which delivers plant protection products more efficiently to plant cells. It has been proven to increase the effectiveness of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and defoliants. When tank-mixed with a crop protection product, InnoAg Pro creates a shield around the active ingredient which increases spread and adhesion to the weed surface, and penetration onto the plant tissue making active ingredients more effective. The increased pesticide effectiveness triggered by InnoAg Pro frequently allows for a 25 to 30% rate reduction on pesticide application.
The trial results clearly show that the addition of InnoAg Pro to Difenoconazole and Cyromazine gave better results.
Leaf miner Control: Efficacy was measured by taking an account of the number of pupae and the number of remnant larva on the new leaves in each treatment. The results showed that 25% reduction of Cyromazine + InnoAg Pro at 300ml/ha, provided 90.1% efficacy. Cyromazine at 50% of the recommended rate tan-mixed with InnoAg Pro also provided better leaf miner control than the conventional dose of Cyromazine alone. However, it is not recommended to reduce the recommended label rate by 50% when tank mixing with adjuvants, especially in high pest pressure conditions.
Downy mildew Control: The addition of InnoAg Pro, at 300 ml per ha, to 75% and 50% of Difenoconazole rate significantly improved downy mildew control as compared to Difenoconazole alone at 100% of the recommended rate. Difenoconazole at 75% of the standard dose, tank-mixed with InnoAg Pro yielded the best result, whereas the 50% Difenoconazole dose reduction with the adjuvant also provided better Downy Mildew control than the full dose of Difenoconazole alone.
Under the conditions of this trial, the results support the assertion that a 25% reduction on Difenoconazole and Cyromazine rate delivers superior pest control mixed with the bio-nano adjuvant, InnoAg Pro. The addition of InnoAg Pro is cost-effective as well as supports sustainability. To know more about how InnoAg Pro can help your crop productivity and customized solutions, please contact info@bioaginnovations.com or call 844-464-2374.
