A new fungicide for the control of powdery mildew in pipfruit called Property® is welcome news for orchardists looking for new options to assist with fungicide resistance management and provide effective disease control.

Ryan Pierce, UPL NZ Ltd Regional Sales Manager for the lower North Island, says orchardists have been fighting diseases, and the weather, all year. 

“Apple growers are aware of the risk of powdery mildew populations developing resistance to registered fungicides. The approval of an efficacious¹ new fungicide like Property is a significant breakthrough. It’s the first of its class to be approved for apples and has a 65-day preharvest interval.”

The active ingredient in Property is pyriofenone, which belongs to the FRAC Group 50. It works by inhibiting lesion formation and sporulation, thus halting powdery mildew infection. 

Ryan says Property demonstrates excellent preventative activity¹. “Property has very solid results and there is no known fungicide resistance to its active ingredient.

“It has a translaminar action moving through the leaves for effective distribution, protection and rainfastness. Another of Property’s strengths is its vapour activity, which ensures the active reaches all areas, which could be infected by powdery mildew and where the tree most needs protection. All leaf and fruit surfaces get covered. 

“Property’s 65-day preharvest interval means you can cover the key powdery mildew infection period, making this an effective and flexible option in a powdery mildew control programme.”

Powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) must be addressed in a pipfruit disease management programme every season. 

“Even if every care is taken, overwintering infections providing inoculum for the following year,” Ryan says. “Without a robust protectant programme in place, powdery mildew affects leaves and flower buds, compromising tree health and production by impacting photosynthesis and leaf vigour. In extreme cases, it causes stunted tree growth and russeting of the fruit. Orchardists know how important it is to manage this disease.”

Ryan recommends applying Property as part of a protectant programme at 10 to 14 day intervals when warm or wet conditions with moderate temperatures are expected. “Use the shorter interval when conditions are conducive to powdery mildew infection or there is rapid plant growth. 

“Thorough coverage is important and the addition of Du-Wett® superspreader is advised in low to medium water volumes to ensure optimal foliage deposition. This helps improve the application efficacy and reduces spray waste.”

Du-Wett, a non-ionic organosilicone surfactant blend, was developed specifically to enhance spreading and foliage deposition to reduce spraying time, and fuel and labour costs. Tree pruning for optimum light penetration and air circulation also helps with powdery mildew management. Do not compost infected prunings.

Do not exceed more than two applications of Property per season. Property is compatible with insecticides and fungicides used most often in orchard spray programmes.

Talk with your local Fruitfed Supplies Technical Horticultural Representative about Property, the new fungicide to help control powdery mildew in pipfruit.

ACVM registration number: Property® #P009953. Read registered label before use.
¹ 2017-2022 trials with Property in Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Gisborne, Manawatu and Canterbury by independent contractors.