Whitefly control in vegetable crops is at the centre of a new pesticide available to Australian growers. It can be used alone for quick knockdown or tank mixed with other pesticides as a part of an Integrated Pest Management program, as Vegetables Australia explains.

There is a new product on the Australian market registered for whitefly control in cucurbits and tomatoes.

Released by Oro Agri and available exclusively through E.E. Muir & Sons, PREV-AM has a quick knockdown effect that makes it a versatile stand-alone treatment or tank mix partner with other pesticides or liquid fertilisers. It can stop whitefly within minutes and its level of control is accomplished within 1-2 hours.

The quick knockdown action makes this product a great addition to an Integrated Pest Management program. An application can be timed to control insects and diseases only when they reach the economic threshold. Because it is a contact pesticide and has no residual activity, PREV-AM applications can be scheduled to avoid impacting bees or other beneficial insects.

To achieve best results in controlling whitefly, it is recommended in consecutive spray applications seven days apart (see figure below). This strategy will provide the best opportunity to achieve population collapse of whitefly within your crop.

How it works

The OROWET® technology contained in PREV-AM provides outstanding spreading on the leaf surface. In a tank mix with other pesticides, the product distributes the spray solution evenly on the plant surface to help prevent phytotoxicity and to improve control – making adding an additional adjuvant unnecessary.

The unique action of the leaf ‘rewetting’ surfaces after the PREVAM spray solution has dried. It will be rewetted due to rainfall, irrigation or a heavy dew event, and moisture is dispersed evenly across the leaf surface – resulting in redistributing chemistry and faster drying times. This ensures even distribution of protective chemistry and lessons the opportunity of disease infection.

Additionally, with a low re-entry interval and no withholding period, PREV-AM will not disrupt harvest schedules or staff ability to continue working in the field or glasshouse.

Family-owned business looking to the future

E.E. Muir Pty Ltd is a privately-owned Australian company, wholly owned by the Muir family.

The business is focused on providing superior services and products to a wide range of rural enterprises that concentrate on high-value production agriculture.

The company operates from several locations right across Australia. This unique footprint offers both international and local manufacturers of farm inputs (fertiliser, crop protection and seed) with a specialised route to the farmgate. Its significant investment in people with agronomic qualifications provides farming customers and input manufacturers with a professional approach to maximising farm production.

Established in 1927 and approaching 100 years in business, E.E. Muir & Sons is committed to providing its farming customers with every opportunity to meet and profit from the present and future requirements in feeding the ever-increasing demand.

The fourth generation Muir family employees – Andrew, Stuart, James and Cameron – have begun to lead the business into the future, knowing that it is becoming increasingly important to maximise every technical advantage and input at farmers’ disposal.

Find out more

Please contact your local E.E Muir & Sons store for more information and product availability.

Cover image: Adult whitefly on leaf of cucurbit. Image courtesy of Alton N. Sparks, Jr., University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.