Crop Protection
WHAT’S IN THE TOOLKIT FOR WINTER? Having the right tools and the knowledge of how to use them is critical as we progress through winter to set us up for spring. If you are a broadacre or horticultural grower Omnia has products that offer compelling benefits for winter applications. Winter pruning in tree and vine crops and foliar trace element sprays in broadacre crops are two topics of interest to progressive growers. PRUNING Winter pruning of grapes, apples and cherries means it is time to prepare the pruning tool kit. Dead arm disease, Botryosphaeria dieback and Silverleaf can be devastating diseases in these crops and unprotected pruning wounds can be a source of infection. Sharp pruning tools, well trained operators and products like SPRAYSEAL and GREENSEAL should be essential components of your pruning toolkit as they can all help reduce the incidence of disease and improve the longterm production of orchards and vineyards. Larger pruning wounds, where re-working of vines involves major surgery, should be treated with GREENSEAL. This forms a tough and durable weather resistant skin on the wound and contains an effective fungicide to prevent and control infection following pruning. It is available with its own applicator so treating your pruning wounds is simple and fast. For smaller cane pruning wounds we recommend SPRAYSEAL. It is applied up to 6 days following pruning by spray application. Spraying equipment should be adjusted to provide adequate coverage of the pruning wounds on the vines, while reducing spray drift. If re-circulating shielded sprayers are available they will reduce wastage. Applying SPRAYSEAL reduces labour costs and ensures the wound treatment process is efficient, meaning your pruning schedule stays on track.
FOLIAR TRACE ELEMENTS In broadacre crops now is the time to consider trace element applications. In paddocks with a history of trace element deficiencies or when higher than average yields are expected, winter is a great time to apply foliar trace elements. The OmniSure range is formulated using the latest chelation technology which enables efficient plant uptake and improved compatibility with commonly applied crop protection products such as 2,4-D Amine and Propiconazole. This reduces the number of sprayer passes over the crop reducing costs and ensuring spray applications occur in a timely fashion. Omnia Sales and Marketing Manager Darren Thomas said, “Our OmniSure range of trace elements is quite unique. In cereals trial results they match EDTA chelates for plant uptake and have a better compatibility profile. They offer a significant value benefit to broadacre growers.” Mr Thomas concluded with, “Trace elements are often overlooked, particularly in high yielding situations when focus switches to top-dressing nitrogen. OmniSure offers growers a convenient and cost-effective way to add trace elements to the system through foliar application.”
Independent trial photos showing how OmniSure outperforms EDTA regarding crop damage
For more information go to www.omnia. com.au or contact your Elders Agronomist.
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