Prolectus is a suspension concentrate (SC) fungicide based on fenpyrazamine, a new active ingredient offering unique chemistry and properties which is able to block botrytis in various stages of its biological cycle.
 

Key attributes include excellent translaminar properties which deliver powerful curative and protective activity as well as offering

excellent rainfastness.

Fenpyrazamine is a Group 17 active which penetrates quickly into the crop to provide an immediate effect on botryis infections.
 

Importantly, it is also safe on a number of key beneficial insects used for biological pest control, including predatory mites and

parasitic wasps.
 

Nufarm development specialist Cynthia Christie says because fenpyrazamine acts at multiple points of the botrytis lifecycle,

Prolectus is able to provide robust, effective disease control.
 

“It prevents germ tube elongation at the very start of the disease lifecycle, impacts infectious mycelial growth, prevents lesion development and finally, prevents spore formulation.”
 

Field tested on several different grape varieties in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough, Prolectus provided the same level of botrytis control as the reference fungicide used for the trials.
 

It is best used as a preventative spray, but it also has powerful curative activity which has been well demonstrated both in laboratory bio-assay and field tests, Christie says.
 

The result is a useful degree of flexibility. “If the weather turns a bit ugly, and for some reason it’s not possible to get your planned botryticide application on before the infection period, Prolectus has shown good control as a curative.”
 

The new fungicide’s ability to move rapidly through plant tissue is likewise an important benefit for growers, not least because it helps control disease spores that may have been missed on the underside of grape leaves during application.
 

“This also improves control of disease already present inside the leaf or the grape berry.”
 

Experiments have shown Prolectus moving through the grape surface within 24 hours of application, which along with its translaminar properties helps account for its excellent rainfastness.
 

Prolectus is registered for botrytis control and has MRL's set in many major wine growing regions around the world. Up to two applications applied no later than 80 per cent capfall will result in nil detectable residues in wine.
 

Applications made after 80 per cent capfall and up to pre-bunch closure can result in detectable residues. Users should consult the NZ Winegrowers Vineyard Spray Schedule or contract winery for the lastet MRL information to plan a use pattern that meets their export destination MRL requirements.
 

The local market withholding period is seven weeks after the last application.

Cynthia Christie says to make it easier for growers to work out how much they need to apply, Nufarm has worked with NZ Winegrowers to create a special table which uses a rate per metre of row and calculates a rate per ha based on different row spacings instead of just the more typical rate per 100 L of water, or a single rate per ha.
 

This table has now been added to the Prolectus
label.

For more detail phone your Nufarm territory manager.