Luna gained approval earlier this week from the U.S. States Environmental Protection Agency. Canada is expected to follow in May, says Craig Hunter, pesticide specialist for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.
Bayer says “Luna
fungicides have a unique chemistry and systemic mode of action that provides
unprecedented control of some of the most problematic fungal diseases to help
growers deliver the best possible fruits, nuts and vegetables.”
It provides
systemic control of Alternaria blights, scab, powdery mildew and white mould.
Bayer says it has “demonstrated improvements in long-term tree health
and on fruit quality and storability.’
It comes from a new chemical class that maintains control where other
products are failing.
Hunter says it will be used in combination with other fungicides
because that will delay, if not eliminate, the risk that resistant fungi will
emerge.
Hunter explained that Luna has a new mode of action, so fungi with
genetic resistance to that new mode of action would need to emerge. But if they
do, they will be hit with the other fungicides in the tank mix.
“The chances of two types of resistance emerging simultaneously are
remote,” he said.
Bayer applied for approval in a number of countries at the same time,
adopting an approach long urged by farmers who want to remain competitive in
global markets.
Hunter said the registrations in the U.S. and Canada carry the same
standards for residues “ so with potatoes, for example, there will be free
movement across the border.”
"The horticultural market has the highest value crops attracting
top dollar in markets around the world,” said Herb Young, product manager at
Bayer CropScience.
“With so much
money on the line, growers need solutions that will help them overcome
problematic disease and resistance issues," he said.
The Luna
portfolio includes three solutions -- Luna Sensation, Luna Tranquility and Luna
Experience -- each of which includes dual modes of action.
Bayer says these
brands are uniquely designed to address the specific needs of individual crops
as follows:
In apples, Luna Sensation helps to keep crops disease-free and
ensures that the fruit's high quality will be maintained through storage and
transport.
Trees treated with Luna Sensation will hold leaves longer and have
greatly reduced inoculum levels the following season.
In his research, Dr. Keith Yoder, Virginia Tech University, found that Luna Sensation not only
provided excellent powdery mildew and scab control on apples, but virtually
eliminated primary powdery mildew outbreak the following spring.
For potatoes,
Luna Tranquility offers the broadest spectrum of disease control on the market
while also increasing yield.
The product is
highly effective broadcast or through chemigation in controlling white mold,
black dot, the entire early blight complex, including Botrytis and brown spot.
Dr. Jeff Miller, Miller Research, found that when Luna Tranquility is used with
potatoes, white mold and early blight control have been outstanding. Luna was
very effective on key diseases when applied through chemigation.
In watermelons, Luna Experience is effective against Strobilurin
and Boscalid-resistant strains providing excellent Gummy stem blight control
where other products are failing.
Luna offers growers effective disease control at nearly half the rate
of current industry standards.
Dr. David Langston, The University of Georgia, found that Luna Experience offered
greater control of Gummy stem blight in watermelon than all other solutions in
his trials.
For cherries, Luna Sensation helps
growers deliver high-quality fruit at harvest and in transit protecting against
powdery mildew, cherry leaf spot, brown rot blossom blight and fruit rot and
various post-harvest rots.
Dr. Jay Pscheidt and John Bassinette of Oregon State University conducted trials of
Luna Sensation against powdery mildew. After six applications, from start of
petal fall to preharvest, Luna Sensation outperformed all other solutions
within the trial.
