ActaraPlant Protection Product ComparisonPlant Protection Product ComparisonReport inaccuraciesReport inaccuracies

FORMULATION & ACTIVE INGREDIENT: ACTARA is a water dispersible granule containing 250 g/kg thiamethoxam.

TARGETS: Potatoes: ACTARA for the control of aphids in potatoes and the reduction of virus diseases associated with aphid vectors. ACTARA can be applied in-furrow at planting and as a foliar spray to the growing crop.

RAINFASTNESS: 1 hour.

 

IMPORTANT: This information is approved as part of the Product Label. All instructions within this section must be carefully read in order to obtain safe and successful use of this product.

GENERAL INFORMATION
ACTARA contains 250 g/kg thiamethoxam formulated as a water dispersible granule. It controls a range of aphids that commonly attack seed and ware potatoes including strains of Myzus persicae resistant to organophosphate, carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides.
ACTARA belongs to the neonicotinoid class of chemicals. It has contact, stomach and systemic properties. ACTARA applied as a foliar spray provides rapid knock down of aphids and through its systemic activity long lasting (typically 2–3 weeks) efficacy against re-invasion of aphids. ACTARA applied to the soil at planting as an in-furrow spray will provide protection against aphid infestation during the early growth of the crop; typically for three to four weeks after crop emergence.

PESTS CONTROLLED
ACTARA when applied as a foliar spray will reduce the transmission of potato viruses (e.g. potato leaf roll virus and potato virus Y) by controlling the aphid vectors which spread these viruses. The aphids controlled include: peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae), potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), glasshouse and potato aphid (Aulacorthum solani) and buckthorn-potato aphid (Aphis nasturtii). The use of ACTARA as an in-furrow treatment for seed potatoes at planting will provide early protection against the establishment of aphids which will also help in minimising the early transmission of virus diseases.

RESISTANCE

Aphid control may be reduced if strains of aphid resistant to ACTARA develop. The greatest risk of resistance developing is percieved to come from Myzus persicae. To minimise the risk of the development of resistance, ACTARA should not be used continuously or as the sole method of control. ACTARA is classified as a neonicotinoid, other active ingredients in this chemical class include thiacloprid, acetamaprid and imidacloprid. The application of one neonicotinoid should not immediately be followed by another. The application of ACTARA should be followed by the application of a product from a different group if pest pressure demands further treatment. Use no more than a single application of any neonicotinoid insecticide on ware potatoes, and no more than two applications of any neonicotinoid insecticide on seed potatoes. Where ACTARA is used as an in-furrow soil treatment for seed potatoes this should be regarded as one of the two allowable neonictinoid applications for seed potatoes. Total reliance on one pesticide will hasten the development of resistance; pesticides of different chemical types or alternative control measures should be included in the planned programme. Alternating insecticides with different modes of action is a recognised anti-resistance strategy and ACTARA should always be used in alternation with other non-neonicotinoid insecticides of a different mode of action

 

CROP SPECIFIC INFORMATION
ACTARA as a foliar spray is recommended for use in early, maincrop and seed potatoes.
ACTARA as an in-furrow soil treatment is only recommended for seed potatoes.

Timing – Foliar Applications
ACTARA on seed potato crops: Application should occur early in the life of the crop, as soon as a warning of aphids is received or they are seen in the crop. If ACTARA has been used as an in-furrow spray at planting then the first foliar insecticide used in the crop must come from a different chemical group. It is important to prevent aphids becoming established so as to minimise virus transmission. ACTARA should be used as part of a programme of treatments for virus reduction and in alternation with products from different chemical
group/s.

ACTARA on ware crops: Application should be made if aphids reach damaging numbers or the variety is sensitive to virus damage.

Maximum IndividualDose: 80 g ACTARA perhectare

Maximum Numberofapplications:1 percrop

 

MaximumIndividualDose: 80 g ACTARA perhectare

Maximum Numberofapplications: 2 percrop

 

ACTARA as an in-furow application can only be made to seed potato crops:  Application must be made at the time of planting the seed tubers and as part of the planting operation. Application at this time will provide protection against early aphid attack. In-furrow application should form part of a programe of treatments to minimise the risk of virus damage. Where an in-furrow application has been made the crop should be monitored after emergence and if aphids start to become established in the crop then follow up treatments should be madeimmediately.

If ACTARA has been used as an in-furrow spray at planting then the first foliar insecticide used in the crop must come from a different chemical  group.

 

MaximumIndividualDose: 100 g ACTARA perhectare

Maximum Numberofapplications: 1 percrop

 

Do not harvest potatoes for at least 7 days after application of ACTARA. Consult processors before use in ware crops.

 

MIXING AND SPRAYING
Foliar applications
Apply ACTARA as a foliar spray in 200–400 litres water per hectare using a suitable hydraulic sprayer. Good spray coverage is required for optimal control of aphids.
Make sure the sprayer is set to give an even application at the correct volume. In all cases add ACTARA to the spray tank first, followed by any additional products.

Dry Mixing – Sprayers with Induction Hoppers
Fill sprayer to 15% of tank capacity with water and start agitation. Pour ACTARA into the induction hopper and open valve in bottom of hopper to suck the granules into the circulating spray mix. Continue adding ACTARA until loading is complete. Wash down any granules on the hopper wall and close valve.
Note for old sprayers with indirect venturi induction hoppers
In the unlikely event of problems occurring during dry induction of the granules (blocked venturi), open the rinse ring and add water to the hopper. As soon as product induction continues, carry on adding product until the required amount is reached.
Sprayers without Induction Hoppers
Fill sprayer with a minimum of 15 cm of water in the bottom and agitate vigorously. Pour ACTARA through the sprayer lid and then add the remainder of water.
Agitate the mixture thoroughly before use and continue until spraying is complete.
Thoroughly wash all spray equipment with water after use.

For in-furrow application of ACTARA use between 50-150 litres of water per hectare. Apply using specialist in-furrow application equipment. Contact Syngenta Crop Protection for further details on suitable manufacturers of these sprayers

Where ACTARA is applied as an in-furrow application, it should be directed into the planting furrow rather than the seed tuber. Application should be made using two nozzles per row – one at the front of the planting share and directed down into the furrow and the second, at the rear of the share and directed so as to spray the soil as  it closes around the plantedtuber.

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