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An agricultural fungicide for the control of stem-base, foliar and ear diseases in winter and spring barley and oats. An emulsifiable concentrate formulation containing 100 g/L prothioconazole and 100 g/L fluoxastrobin.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE
IMPORTANT: This information is approved as part of the Product Label. All instructions within this section must be read carefully in order to obtain safe and successful use of this product. Mettle is a mixture of a strobilurin and a triazolinthione fungicide recommended for control of a wide range of diseases on winter and spring barley and oats.

RATE OF USE

WINTER BARLEY, SPRING BARLEY
Diseases: Eyespot (Oculimacula spp.), Sharp eyespot (Rhizoctonia cerealis), Take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis), Fusarium foot rot (Fusarium culmorum, Microdochium nivale var nivale and majus), Powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis), Brown rust, Rhynchosporium Leaf blotch, Net blotch.
Rate: 1.25L/ha

WINTER OATS, SPRING OATS
Diseases: Eyespot (Oculimacula spp.), Powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis), Crown rust.
Rate: 1.25L/ha

Critical comments: Maximum number of applications 2per season. Maximum total dose 2.5 litres product per hectare. Latest time of application At any stage before beginning of flowering (GS 61). Method of application: tractor mounted/trailed sprayer.

APPLICATION TIMING
Stem Base Disease Complex and Take-all Eyespot (Oculimacula spp.) Sharp eyespot (Rhizoctonia cerealis) Take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis) Fusarium foot rot (Fusarium culmorum, Microdochium nivale var nivale and majus). Spray in the spring at the first sign of disease, from when the leaf sheaths begin to become erect until the 2nd node is detectable (GS 30-32).

Powdery Mildew (Blumeria graminis)
Strains of powdery mildew resistant to Qol fungicides are common in Ireland. Where specific control of wheat mildew is required, this should be achieved through a programme of measures, including products with recommendations for control of mildew that contain different active substances used in mixture or sequence.
Brown Rust (Puccinia hordei)
Apply Mettle at the first signs of disease. A second application may be made 2-3 weeks later if re-infection occurs. Applications made to established infections are likely to be less effective.
Crown Rust (Puccinia coronata)
Apply Mettle at the first signs of disease. A second application may be made 2-3 weeks later if re-infection occurs. Applications made to established infections are likely to be less effective.
Leaf Blotch (Rhynchosporium secalis)
Apply Mettle in spring at the first signs of disease. For severe infections a second application may be necessary 2-3 weeks later.
Net Blotch (Pyrenophora teres)
Apply Mettle at the first signs of disease in spring/early summer. For severe infections, a second application 2-3 weeks later will give most effective control when conditions remain favourable for disease development.

CAUTION: The possible development of disease strains resistant to Mettle cannot be excluded or predicted. Where such resistant strains occur, Mettle is unlikely to give satisfactory control.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY TO MINIMISE THE LIKELIHOOD OF RESISTANCE
Apply fungicides according to manufacturer’s recommendations for the target disease (or complex) at the specific crop growth stage indicated. Effective disease management is a critical parameter in delaying the build-up of resistant pathogen populations. Mettle is a mixture of two fungicides with different modes of action, a strobilurin and a triazolinthione. Mettle contains fluoxastrobin, a member of the Qol crossresistance group. Mettle should be used preventatively and should not be relied on for its curative potential. Use Mettle as part of an Integrated Crop Management (ICM) strategy incorporating other methods of control, including where appropriate other fungicides with a different mode of action. You must not apply more than two foliar applications of QoI-containing products to any cereal crop. The Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) produces recommendations that may be consulted for additional information.

FACTORS AFFECTING CROP SAFETY
Occasionally, after the application of Mettle, some transient leaf chlorosis on barley may occur, but these symptoms have not been shown to adversely affect yield responses accruing from the benefits of disease control.
CROP SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Mettle may be used on all commercial varieties of winter and spring barley and winter and spring oats.
Mixing
Thoroughly shake the pack before use. Add the required quantity of Mettle to the half-filled spray tank with the agitation system in operation and then fill to the required level. Continue agitation at all times during spraying and stoppages until the tank is completely empty. Spray immediately after mixing.
General
Sprayers should be thoroughly cleaned before use, and filters and jets checked for damage and blockages. Boom height should be adjusted to ensure even coverage of the crop, particularly at later growth stages. The correct height is one at which the spray from alternate nozzles meets just above the crop, in dense crops, at later growth stages, higher water volumes should be used. Spray equipment should be thoroughly cleaned with detergent after use.