A program approach to disease control in cereals
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In cereal grains, fungal diseases like Septoria and rust threaten yield and a food source the world depends on for essential nutrition. Inatreq™ active presents the first new site of action against fungal diseases in cereals in over 15 years. The site of action refers to the part of the plant that the fungicide works on, such as a specific protein. Having a new site of action gives growers an important tool in fighting against these costly threats that have also shown increasing resistance to some varieties and crop protection products in recent years.
Maintaining the efficacy of fungicide active ingredients like Inatreq is vital for farmers and consumers. In many parts of the world, changes in regulations and marketplace demands are reducing the options available to fight these diseases, while global demand for cereal grains continues to grow.
Optimizing a remarkably low use rate
To help ensure Inatreq and other fungicides don’t develop resistance to key fungal diseases that can drastically reduce harvests, they have to be used in a program approach. A program approach exposes diseases to multiple modes of action and employs the lowest possible use rates—the rate at which the active ingredient is effective. The practical use rate for Inatreq in cereal crops can be as little as 60 grams per hectare. Inatreq works so well at low use rates in part because it is formulated with iQ-4™ technology, which allows for nearly complete leaf coverage. The active ingredient absorbs into leaves and only goes to work when it’s exposed to fungi. This delayed action and low use rate help minimize fungal exposure to the ingredient, reducing opportunity for resistance to develop.
Inatreq is also always used in a program approach with varietal tolerance and fungicides from a different class of chemistry. Products containing Inatreq are labeled for use only once per crop per year for resistance management. Limiting the use of Inatreq to once per year will help keep this technology—and the others it’s rotated with—effective for growers to use over the long term.
Timing for ideal protection
Farmers can optimize the use of products containing Inatreq by applying them at the T2 stage of cereal development when the flag leaf has developed. At T2, leaf surfaces are emerging more fully and need to be protected. Inatreq offers long-lasting protection, staying on the leaf surface for up to six weeks, for protection through the emergence of the ear. This gives farmers two advantages. First, the long-lasting protection provides flexibility. Should wet weather prevent the next round of fungicide application, farmers don’t need to worry about a lapse in protection. Secondly, a T2 application of Inatreq enables farmers to focus their T3 application on the developing ear, knowing leaves are already protected. The result is a more thorough protection of the plant through the biggest period of fungal disease vulnerability, while also ensuring exposure of diseases to multiple modes of action.
Protection for the long term
With a program approach, cereal farmers are helping to make sure a long-lasting active ingredient like Inatreq is also a long-term option. With an optimized use rate and when applied at the right growth stage, Inatreq is a powerful partner in a fungicide program that puts multiple modes of action to work against tough diseases, protecting yields and farming returns on investment.
Learn more about Inatreq active