The export of the 2018 almond crop is under threat following a ban of Iprodione in the European Union.
Following the decision to ban the fungicide, the Almond Board of Australia has entered into negotiations to ensure the 2018 almond crop, grown when the use of Iprodione was authorised, can be sold with a maximum residue limit (MRL) still being in place.
The Board is advocating for a transitioning period to March 2019 before the MRL in Europe is set at zero.
If successful it means the 2018 crop can be sold, but the 2019 crop with detectable levels will not be able to be sold.
The ABA has advised processors and marketers of the withdrawal of use approval.
To ensure all growers are aware and acting on this advice ABA has advised producers not to use Iprodione products in producing 2019 crop as it would put the crop at risk of contravening chemical residue limits in Europe set at the level of detection.
Iprodione is one of the chemicals Australian almond growers are tested for as part of the Governments National Residue Survey and with the improved sensitivity of testing methods trace amounts of chemicals are being found from sources such as drift from neighbouring properties whose crops are not subject to MRL’s in their markets.
In addition to not using Iprodione ABA advises letting neighbours know about the risk of spray drift to crops. This is a real issue as the industry has had a spike in 2,4-D detections at very low levels from crops such as citrus and cereals that have an MRL, unlike almonds in Australia.
Iprodione, or the Rovral fungicide, is an active ingredient offering broad-spectrum disease control during spring. Iprodione is registered for control of Blossom Blight and Brown Rot in almonds. Other suitable alternatives that are registered for almonds are:
- Mancozeb (Mancozeb, Penncozeb): Brown Rot, Shot Hole, Rust, Freckle, Brown Rot
- Fluopyram/Trifloxystrobin (Luna Sensation):Blossom Blight, Shot Hole, Rust, suppression of Hull Rot
- Azoxystrobin/Tebuconazole (Custodia): Blossom Blight, Brown Rot, Shot Hole, Rust
- Chlorothalonil (Echo, Barrack 720, Bravo): Shot Hole, Rust
- Pyraclostrobin (Cabrio): Rust
- Penthiopyrad (Fontelis): Brown Rot
- Captan (Captan): Blossom Blight, Shot Hole, Anthracnose
- Azoxystrobin (Amistar 250 EC): Anthracnose