Few investments have the potential to match Miravis Duo fungicide, which has become a source of excitement for IK Caldwell agronomist, Paul Elton, and his clients.
“We do a two-spray strategy with Miravis Duo in processing tomatoes at Rochester, Echuca, Boort, Lake Boga and Deniliquin, as well as with fresh tomato growers around Shepparton,” Mr Elton says.
“The first spray was applied early on, around pre-canopy closure, and the second one just as fruit was starting to colour.
“We see a really good greening effect. Even in the [apparent] absence of disease it keeps the plant greener and healthier.
“Because the plants stay greener for longer there’s less premature senescence which increases harvestability.”
The trials also examined in-field compatibility of Miravis Duo fungicide with other products commonly used in tomatoes.
“Miravis Duo is a good mixer in the tank and is really compatible with other products, including fungicides, fertiliser, biologicals and insecticides,” he says.
As well as Mr Elton’s work with the product, Miravis Duo fungicide is registered in fruiting vegetables in open field and protected cropping for control of early blight (Alternaria spp.), powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica, Odiopsis spp. and Oidium spp.) and Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora spp.).
It combines the reliability of difenoconazole (Group 3) with a new active pydiflumetofen (Group 7) to target fungi at multiple stages of the lifecycle – an important tool for resistance management. The two active ingredients provide best-in-class disease protection to deliver increased yield.
“Miravis Duo is a pretty unique and ground-breaking new fungicide. It gives me confidence to use pydiflumetofen in a whole range of other crops as well like canola, beans, potatoes and carrots,” Mr Elton explains.
When used as part of a preventative spray program, Miravis Duo fungicide provides protection to new flowers and developing fruit on continuously picked crops during the harvest window.
Syngenta technical services lead Len Ibbotson said the collaboration with IK Caldwell and tomato growers is another example of Syngenta’s commitment to post-registration stewardship and willingness to support the needs of industry.
He says the results from these trials increased confidence Miravis Duo is a highly compatible and effective fungicide, offering flexibility of timing and ease of use.
“Despite the often dry climate, periodic rainfall and an associated increase in disease pressure means fungal diseases of tomatoes in this region needed to be managed carefully with a suitable protectant program to preserve plant health and maximise yield potential,” Mr Ibbotson said.
Mr Elton agreed.
“We did have high Alternaria disease pressure with rains around November-December last season and MIRAVIS Duo held up well under those conditions”.
“Miravis Duo fungicide is positioned for good residual activity, with the length of control being a product highlight” he says.
“Whether it’s a dry season or a wet one, Miravis Duo will be the foundation of the program.
“That early spray provides good protection down in the canopy early on in the season.”
“[But] the one day withholding period also makes Miravis Duo really handy as a late spray for fresh tomato growers.”
