AGRI-NEWS
One of the most widely requested publications available through Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is theCrop Protection Guide,also known as the Blue Book. This publication is updated annually and provides producers with the most recent information on pesticide products.
The most significant change for 2011 is the presence of a new format for all pesticide entries. The new format represents an updated style that allows producers to select appropriate pesticide products for their field crops. With the new format, more of the information is presented in tables. This format allows users to more easily determine the crop type, target pest (i. e. weed, disease, insect) and the appropriate pesticide rate. Information on pre-harvest intervals, field scouting and application tips are also included in most of the tables.
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Format changes were also made to selector charts. These charts have been included in the Blue Book for a number of years and are used to evaluate pesticide options available for weed, disease or insect control. For 2011, the new format of the selector charts for insecticides, fungicides and seed treatments presents options in an easy-to-use style. The herbicide products remain in the old format as timeline limitations restricted their conversion to the new format.
New registrations
An important component of the annual update is the addition of newly registered products. As in most years, there were several new products added to the 2011 guide. Some of the highlights of the new additions to the guide are:
Herbicides: newly registered products mainly include active ingredients that are already available through previously registered products or new mixes of existing products. New mixes typically provide additional weed control options.
Fungicides: products registered for fusarium head blight suppression in cereal crops, sclerotinia control including a soil-applied biofungicide and cereal leaf diseases.
Seed treatments: addition of a product for suppression of wireworm in cereals.
Insecticides: new products that control a wide spectrum of insects in potatoes.
It is important that producers continue to purchase pesticide products based on chemical group and active ingredient. Purchasing pesticide products based on newly registered product names could lead to repeated use of a chemical group and increase the risk of developing herbicide resistance.
Copies can be ordered through Alberta Agriculture’s Publication Office, 1-800-292-5697. Other inquiries about theCrop Protection Guidecan be directed to the Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM.
