Late blight protection for potatoes and tomatoes

Bayer Crop Science has introduced Xivana® Prime (pronounced “zih-vah-nah”) fungicide to combat late blight in potato and tomato crops.

Xivana Prime contains the active ingredient fluoxapiprolin which disrupts the lifecycle of the oomycete pathogens that cause late blight infection. The unique biological mode of action of fluoxapiprolin targets multiple stages of pathogen development.

Oomycetes are commonly known as water moulds which are highly destructive pathogens in agricultural crops. Unlike true fungi, these organisms thrive in moist environments and cause diseases such as late blight in potatoes and tomatoes. Oomycetes infect plants through motile spores called zoospores, which swim towards host tissues and penetrate them using specialised structures. Once inside a plant, they establish mycelial networks that rapidly consume plant cells, leading to wilting, rot, and, ultimately, crop failure.

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is capable of infecting crops rapidly when conditions favour infection. Chemical controls can fall short due to rapid pathogen adaptation and environmental concerns.

Phil Bertram, Regional Business Manager for Bayer Crop Science in the upper North Island, says, “This is where Xivana Prime offers a new robust solution, because it targets multiple stages in the lifecycle, effectively inhibiting spore generation, germ tube elongation, mycelial growth, and sporangia formation.

“By targeting these critical stages, the fungicide prevents the late blight pathogen from establishing and spreading to reduce overall disease pressure in the field and ensure greater crop health and productivity.”

Xivana Prime has a very low rate of active ingredient per hectare compared to other conventional fungicides.

Marc Fox, Horticulture and Biologics Product Manager for Bayer Crop Science, says, “Xivana Prime excels as a strong preventive fungicide, stopping infections before they take hold.

“Such is the effectiveness of fluoxapiprolin against Phytophthora infestans that, when applied at the recommended label rate of 1 litre / ha, only 20 grams of the active ingredient is required to deliver great results. This reduces chemical input and minimises environmental impact while maintaining superior disease control.”

Xivana Prime is bio-delivered through a slow-release mechanism via the plant’s cuticle and leaf. Local redistribution provides a translaminar effect, allowing the active ingredient to move within leaf tissues to protect mature plant tissues and newly developed leaves and provide long-term disease control.

Marc adds, “Another standout attribute of Xivana Prime is its rainfastness. Even under frequent wet weather conditions, the formulation maintains its effectiveness, ensuring uninterrupted protection for crops throughout critical growth stages. This is a crucial benefit for fast-growing crops like potatoes and tomatoes, where new growth is highly susceptible to infection.”

To reduce the risk of resistance developing, Xivana Prime must be applied in a tank mixture with an effective fungicide from a different chemical class, such as mancozeb, applied at registered rates.

Application Tips

• Use rate: 1 litre / ha in minimum water volume of 300 litres of water per hectare by ground-based methods (or 50 litres by air). Ensure complete coverage is achieved.
• Application timing: Apply Xivana Prime as part of a protective programme of fungicides at seven to 14-day intervals. 
  Use the shorter spray intervals where conditions favour disease development and in periods of rapid crop growth.
• Preventative application: Commence application prior to the onset of disease.
• Application limitations: Apply up to three times per crop cycle, with no more than two consecutive applications of Xivana Prime before switching to a fungicide with a different mode of action that shows no cross-resistance to OSBPI fungicides.

For more information on late blight control using Xivana Prime, talk with your Fruitfed Supplies Technical Horticultural Representative.

ACVM registration number: Xivana® Prime #P009941. Read registered label before use.