The fight against root-knot nematode has received a huge boost with Australian growers becoming the first in the world to have access to a new nematicide that has received approval for use in root and tuber, cucurbit and fruiting vegetable crops.

Corteva Agriscience Australia is pleased to announce the first global registration of Salibro® Reklemel® active nematicide.

Corteva Agriscience Australia Regulatory and Policy Manager, Greg Mitchell said that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) did a great job in meeting the regulatory timelines.

It was not the first regulator to start the risk assessment; however, it was the world’s first to issue a registration. There were some adjustments in timelines along the way, which were done jointly, openly, fairly and amicably.

Australia is fortunate to have a risk-based, rigorous and robust regulatory system based on science that protects the safety of people, animals, and the environment.

Australian growers will be the first in the world to access and use Salibro to protect their crops.

Salibro is now approved for the control of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) in root and tuber, cucurbit and fruiting vegetable crops. It offers growers significant advantages over existing options.

Making a difference

Corteva Agriscience Salibro Product Manager, Dan Cornally, said nematode control options in the past have typically been quite disruptive to beneficial fauna contained in the soil.

“Nematode control can be very challenging. Many of the current options available to growers are not IPM-friendly, which results in significant disruption to soil beneficial organisms. Current nematicides are also generally considered higher risk to growers and the environment.

“Salibro is quite different. It has a much lower risk to applicators and the environment and is an effective nematicide that controls root-knot nematode, as well as having negligible impact on the beneficial species that help suppress pests and diseases for healthier soils.”

Mr Cornally said this product has a unique mode of action and can be used at relatively low rates.

“It affects the co-ordination of the nematode, meaning within hours of treatment they are unable to move, feed and infect plant roots. Death will occur in a couple of days as nematodes cannot move or feed effectively,” he added.

How it works

In treated soils, parasitic nematodes are exposed to Salibro as they move in films of water within the soil in search of a host root. Once eggs hatch, and newly emerged juveniles become mobile they will also be controlled.

Soil temperature does not have any impact on the product’s performance and effective control is observed both at low and high soil temperatures, e.g., 4 to > 35 °C.

“It will typically provide root protection from 20 to 50 days, so is an excellent option for growers needing effective robust control of root-knot nematodes,” Mr Cornally said.

The approved use patterns are:

1. At crop establishment through drip from three days before planting up to three days after transplanting depending on the crop.
2. As a bed or furrow spray incorporated mechanically or with irrigation up to three days before planting.
3. Split application through drip – applied at establishment and again 14-28 days after transplanting depending on the crop.
4. Post plant drip as a top up treatment following another registered nematicide treatment.

Trials and testing

This new nematicide has been extensively tested across Australia, targeting important horticultural areas on a range of soil types since 2013.

One of the trials sites was in Bundaberg, Queensland, and included a planned trial of the new product in sweet potatoes, carrots and capsicums.

There were very high rates of nematodes in the soil, and Salibro was compared to untreated plots and those treated with current industry nematicides. In the carrot trial, the untreated section produced very small and deformed vegetables, whereas the treated plot had large quality carrots.

“It demonstrated the product’s excellent crop safety and ability to control nematodes to produce high yields of quality vegetables,” Mr Cornally said.

Mr Cornally said the new product would be welcomed by growers in the coming season.

“It has application flexibility and will help growers produce consistent, quality vegetables while looking after their soil,” he said.

Find out more

Please visit corteva.com.au or phone Corteva Agriscience toll free on 1800 700 096.

Cover image: Corteva Agriscience Salibro Product Manager, Dan Cornally, pictured showing the nematode control in carrots. The treated product is on the right.