Growers were quick to adopt the new chemistry, with Syngenta having to air freight additional stock from the EU to meet the demand.
 

“NZ is one of the few countries in the world where Elatus is available as a solo SDHI formulation for cereals, allowing growers the flexibility to choose the best DMI mixing partner for efficacy and resistance management,” says Syngenta marketing manager John Yates.

“Growers do like the flexibility of being able to add their own mixing partner, as do agronomists, because it means they can tailor the best fungicide mixture for each disease situation.
 

“Some growers also like to alternate the DMI they use at T1 and T2 for resistance management. And Elatus Plus allows them to do this,” says Yates.
 

According to Syngenta, feedback on the performance of Elatus Plus from growers has been excellent, even though Septoria

pressure was relatively low last season due to the dry weather around November and December.
 

“We know what an exceptional fungicide it is, following trials in NZ and overseas. But it usually takes growers a couple of seasons to appreciate how good a new product is before switching to it.
 

“Many growers have commented on how green their wheat crops were after spraying Elatus Plus, and how well it performed on both Septoria and rust disease. Although this is exactly what we expected, it’s great to hear growers are seeing the same impressive results in the field that we saw in trial plots prior to launching the product.”
 

John Yates says with more early-sown wheat planted this autumn, Septoria pressure is likely to be higher than last season, particularly on susceptible varieties, if growers experience a wet winter and/or early spring.
 

“So we expect more Elatus Plus will be used at T1 (GS32) this season. However, it’s the T2 flag leaf spray where growers will get the biggest bang for buck with Elatus Plus. It really does keep the flag leaf green for longer than any other cereal fungicide on the market, and this is what drives yield in wheat crops.”
 

In Europe, SDHI fungicides have already started to show a decline in sensitivity in controlling Septoria. This highlights the need for growers to adopt measures to reduce the risk of resistance developing in NZ, he warns.
 

This will include: using no more than two SDHI fungicides per season (at label rates); applying them preventatively, and always applying them in mixture with a DMI (at label rates).
 

With chlorothalonil not a practical mixing option for growers in NZ, the addition of folpet should also be considered, particularly on susceptible varieties at T1, if conditions favour Septoria infection.
 

Elatus Plus is available in 10 L containers with a use rate of 0.75 L per ha. It is approved for use on wheat with a withholding period of 42 days for grain, and 28 days for silage.
 

For more detail visit www.syngenta.co.nz.