Time is money when it comes to efficiently managing vineyard powdery mildew spray programmes. Protectant and eradicant fungicide K-Pow stands out for its residue-free powdery mildew control, and it can be applied faster.
K-Pow® - the no-stir, protectant, eradicant
Time is money when it comes to efficiently managing vineyard powdery mildew spray programmes. Pete de Jong, UPL NZ Ltd. Northern South Island Regional Manager says it might sound like a small thing, but even the need to stir product means there’s a significant hold-up.
With protectants needing to be applied every 7-10 days over the high-risk powdery mildew period (pre-flowering until pre-bunch closure) he says that’s potentially a lot of time lost.
Pete says protectant and eradicant fungicide K-Pow stands out from its competitors - not only for its residue-free powdery mildew control but also because it can be applied faster. “You just pour it straight into the tank. You don’t need a paint stirrer.”
K-Pow is a unique blend of potassium bicarbonate and fatty acids in an easy-to-use liquid formulation. Pete says when K-Pow is used as an eradicant growers should also add copper and sulphur to the tank mix.
Grape powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) has been present in New Zealand vineyards for many years, but Pete says around a decade ago a population explosion seriously challenged growers. “The disease lifecycle changed. Rather than having just an asexual population, we had a sexual population which could reproduce faster.”
Powerful option for organic vineyards
For powdery mildew resistance management, K-Pow is another string to the viticulturist’s bow being an alternative chemistry type. Being Bio-Gro certified makes K-Pow also a powerful option for organic vineyards.
Pieter says the product shouldn’t be used during the heat of the day. “We’d recommend applying morning or evening, and on days when temperatures are cooler. Du-Wett or Du-Wett Organic Super-Spreader can also be added to the tank mix for better coverage within bunches to get K-Pow to where powdery mildew may be established and also for lower water rates per hectare. The latter saves not only water, but time, labour and fuel costs.
K-Pow has a withholding period of 28 days based on sensory testing results.
