TECH NOTE SERIES S A C O A

Australian Owned

Specialist company

QA manufacturing

National Distribution

Full product support www.sacoa.com.au | P +61 8 9386 7666 | F + 61 8 9386 7866 S A C O A

BIOPEST FOR SUCKING PEST CONTROL IN ROW CROPPING

Recent field research has proven BIOPEST™

to be safe to apply to a range of row crops

including tomatoes

BIOPEST™ was found to significantly

improve the efficacy of commonly used

insecticides

Crop safety was not comprised when

BIOPEST™ was mixed with common insecti-

cides or fungicides

The physical mode of action of BIOPEST™

makes it an effective resistance management

tool

During the 2018 season SACOA commissioned independent field research to investigate the role of

BIOPEST™ in controlling silver leaf whitefly in field crop tomatoes at Bundaberg Queensland. The aim of

this work was to prove that BIOPEST™ was safe to apply at a rate of up to 1L/100L in mixtures with insecti-

cides and fungicides and offers an alternate mode of action as a stand alone product for controlling a

range of sucking pests such as whitefly, aphids and thrips.

Figure 1: Mean whitefly (adults & nymphs) numbers in row crop tomatoes with BIOPEST™ and a range of

insecticides – Bundaberg May 2015.

Source: Eurofins Research S18-02444

Image 1: Whitefly infestations can build up quickly. If popu-

lations are frequently first discovered from a cloud of white-

fly flying out of infested plants then your monitoring tech-

nique needs improvement (see below). Photo by Cherie

Gambley (DAFF). Source: Nursery & Garden IndustryAus

In this work single applications of a range of insecticides and BIOPEST™ were made at the end of April. Counts of silver leaf whitefly adults, nymphs and eggs

where made on twenty leaves per plot out 28DAA.

BIOPEST™ standalone at 1L/100L was shown to provide significant reductions in total whitefly numbers versus the untreated – control was statistically equivalent to

the standard insecticides. In mixtures with MOVENTO + BIOPEST™ 0.5L/100L significantly reduced whitefly numbers compared to MOVENTO + Hasten 0.5L/100L.

These findings are consistent with previous work conducted by Bowen Crop Monitoring Services in glasshouse tomatoes – where BIOPEST™ applied at weekly inter-

vals was shown to reduce both adults and eggs of SLW – Figure 2.

Key Findings Key Points

Figure 2 & 3: Silverleaf whitefly (adults & egg) numbers in glasshouse tomatoes with – Blush Tomatoes 2012 – Source: Bowen Crop Monitoring Services

TECH NOTE SERIES S A C O A

Australian Owned

Specialist company

QA manufacturing

National Distribution

Full product support www.sacoa.com.au | P +61 8 9386 7666 | F + 61 8 9386 7866 S A C O A

The physical smothering mode of action of BIOPEST™ means that it is best applied to early lifecycle (eggs and nymphs) stages of developing pest populations –

applying in spray water volumes that ensure leaf runoff will maximize efficacy as well as applying a number of times 7-14 days apart will ensure that subsequent

pest generations are controlled. Due to the high grade phyto safe formulation of BIOPEST™ it is safe to incorporate into spray programs as a carrier for other in-

secticides and fungicides. Using BIOPEST™ in a program with other products will keep pest numbers low and reduce the risk of resistance development.

Apply in quick drying conditions where RH% is <60% and the temperature is

between 20-32oC.

Use coarser droplets to target crops with disease lower in the canopy –

BIOPEST™ will increase droplet size

Do not apply to plants suffering moisture or other stress.

Mixing order – please see the Tech Note entitled ‘BIOPEST™ Compatibility’

BIOPEST™ has a formulation developed specifically to deliver high levels of

crop safety without compromising efficacy on pests or disease

BIOPEST™ has a physical mode of action with no recorded instances of

resistance development in key horticultural pests

BIOPEST™ has an IPM fit with little to no effect on pollinators and predatory

insects

BIOPEST™ is organically certified with nil residues & and excellent user safety

BIOPEST™ has one of the broadest labels for use in horticultural crops – in-

cluding compatibility with a huge range of mix partners

Application Time and Coverage is Critical

Application Tips

Acknowledgements

Grower Bundaberg

Eurofins Research – Bundaberg

Bowen Crop Monitoring Services – Bowen

Godfrey Dol - Costa Exchange - Blush Tomatoes Guyra NSW

Rob Barbera—”Barbera Farms”

References

Evaluation of BIOPEST™ for control of silver leaf whitefly in tomatoes - Eurofins

Research S18-02444

Improved Management of silver leaf whitefly in vegetables Dr Paul de Barro –

HAL Project VX02016

Managing Silver leaf whitefly in production nurseries – Nursery and garden

industry Australia

Find Out More

Further product information is available online at sacoa.com.au or by contact-

ing SACOA on 08 9386 7666 or contact your local SACOA representative:

Jamie Cox

North Eastern Regional Manager

0427 100 065

Disclaimer and Copyright

This document should act as a guide only and no purchase or usage decisions should be made based

on the information provided without obtaining independent, expert advice. SACOA and contributors do

not necessarily recommend or endorse any products or manufacturers referred to.

SACOA Pty Ltd will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of

any person using or relying on the information contained in this document. More information is available

from SACOA via sacoa.com.au or 08 9386 7666, or by contacting your local reseller.

© 2018 SACOA Pty Ltd All Rights Reserved. SACOA and the GREEN S icon, ENHANCE, CROPSHIELD,

PLANTOCROP, BIOPEST™, XSEED, ANTIEVAP, COTTOIL, STIFLE, SE14, IRRIGATOR and LURE H2O are regis-

tered trademarks of SACOA Pty Ltd.

BIOPEST™ has been widely used in a range of Australian horticultural crops

for over fifteen years

Refer to label for more details on rates and mixing partners