FLINT - Fungicide

FLINT ia a fungicide produce by BAYER Crop Science that is popular among cash crop farmers in Malaysia and other countries. Recently I met Encik Ahmad from Chemor, Perak that grow 15 hectare of sweet corn for more than 10 years and considered as a successful farmers. He use a special chemical so called 'Flint' as one of the important chemical to ensure the success of the crops yield. Than he whisper to me that this product assist a lot of patient for him to control his crop from any disease. The next day I check with website searching for the product that he use as 'the best' chemical to control in the difficulties in his sweet corn growing practices. Than I found that Flint ia a 'Fungicide Resistance Warning' with tha brand of Flint 500 WG. The company is BAYER and is a member of the strobilurin group of fungicides. For fungicide resistance management Flint 500 WG as a Group 11 fungicide. Some naturally occurring individual fungi resistant to the product and other Group 11  fungicides may exist through normal genetic variability in any fungal population. The resistant individuals can eventually dominate the fungal population if these fungicides are used repeatedly. These resistant fungi will not be controlled by this product or other Group 11 fungicides, thus resulting in a reduction in efficacy and possible yield loss. Since the occurrence of resistant fungi is difficult to detect prior to use, Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd accepts no liability for any losses that may result from the failure of this product to control resistant fungi. This article I present in "Anim Agro Technology" an article from Bayer Website about the product so called - Flint 500WG that popular among sweet corn growers and other food crops farmers in Malaysia.

Resistance Management Strategy 

Flint 500 WG may be subject to specific resistance management strategies. For further information contact your local supplier, Bayer CropScience representative, local agricultural department agronomist or if you free please visit www.croplifeaustralia.org.au.

Integrated Pest Management

Flint 500 WG is suitable for use in IPM programmes. Flint 500 WG is harmless to predators in situations where integrated mite control is practised.

Compatibility

Apples, pears and grapevines: DO NOT mix Flint 500 WG with surfactants as damage to flowers and russetting may occur. Do not mix concentrates together but add each to the spray tank separately. As formulations of other manufacturers' products are beyond the control of Bayer CropScience, all mixtures should be tested prior to mixing commercial quantities. As changes in climatic conditions can alter the sensitivity of plants to mixtures of sprays, Bayer CropScience cannot be responsible for the behaviour of such mixtures.

Bananas: 

DO NOT mix Flint 500 WG with any additive other than high quality (narrow-range) water miscible mineral crop oils. As formulations of mineral spray oils are beyond the control of Bayer CropScience please refer to Bayer Crop Science, your chemical reseller, aerial applicator or the manufacturer of the oil to ensure that it is physically and biologically compatible with Flint. IMPORTANT – if using Flint with a mineral crop oil in crops with exposed (unbagged) bunches, please refer to the Special Warning section following.

Special Warning (bananas)

There are certain conditions when the surface of recently emerged fruit is particularly prone to marking damage from pray applications. In circumstances where application will be made to very rapidly growing fruit in hot conditions with strong direct light, it is recommended that all emerged bunches be bagged prior to spraying to minimise risk of fruit marking. If using Flint with a mineral oil in banana blocks with un-bagged bunches, please contact Bayer CropScience, your chemical reseller or aerial applicator for up to date information regarding the oil formulations recommended by Bayer CropScience.

Mixing and ApplicationApples, Pears and Grapes

Add the required amount of product directly to the spray tank and mix well. Apply only as a ground application, by dilute or concentrate spray methods. Tank Mixing: When mixing Flint 500 WG and other water dispersible granule (WG) or wettable powder (WP) formulations, ensure they are added and mixed well prior to adding emulsifiable concentrate (EC) or suspension concentrate (SC) products. Wettable powder (WP) formulations should be pre-mixed separately and then added to the spray tank. Dilute Spraying (apples, pears and grapevines)

♦ Use a sprayer designed to apply high volumes of water up to the point of run-off and matched to the crop being sprayed.♦ Set up and operate the sprayer to achieve even coverage throughout the crop canopy. Apply sufficient water to cover the crop to the point of run-off. Avoid excessive run-off.
♦ The required water volume may be determined by applying different test volumes, using different settings on the sprayer, from industry guidelines or expert advice.
♦ Add the amount of product specified in the Directions for Use table for each 100 L of water. Spray to the point of run-off.
♦ The required dilute spray volume will change and the sprayer set up and operation may also need to be changed, as the crop grows.

Concentrate Spraying (apples, pears and grapevines)
♦ Use a sprayer designed and set up for concentrate spraying (that is a sprayer which applies water volumes less than those required to reach the point of run-off) and matched to the crop being sprayed.
♦ Set up and operate the sprayer to achieve even coverage throughout the crop canopy using your chosen water volume.
♦ Determine an appropriate dilute spray volume (See Dilute Spraying above) for the crop canopy. This is needed to calculate the concentrate mixing rate.
♦ The mixing rate for concentrate spraying can then be calculated in the following way:

EXAMPLE ONLY

1. Dilute spray volume as determined above: For example 1000 Liter/ha
2. Your chosen concentrate spray volume: For example 250 Liter/ha
3. The concentration factor in this example is: 4 X (i.e. 1000 L ÷ 250 Liter= 4)
4. If the dilute label rate is 10 g/100 Liter, then the concentrate rate becomes 4 x 10, that is 40 g/100 Liter of concentrate spray.

♦ The chosen spray volume, amount of product per 100 L of water, and the sprayer set up and operation may need to be changed as the crop grows.
♦ Do not use a concentrate rate higher than that specified in the Critical Comments.
For further information on concentrate spraying, users are advised to consult relevant industry guidelines, undertake
appropriate competency training and follow industry Best Practices.

Mixing and ApplicationBananas
Add the required amount of product to half of the water in the spray tank. Then add the water miscible mineral crop oil (if using) and the remainder of the water and mix well. If the banana crop is destined for export, the bananas should be bagged prior to spraying to ensure that MRLs of trifloxystrobin are below the MRLs for export destinations.

Aerial application (bananas)

Apply at least 20 L of spray mixture per hectare for aerial application. DO NOT apply within 10 metres upwind of aquatic areas including, natural streams, rivers and waterways. Mixing difficulties may occasionally be encountered when using low application volumes in combination with very soft water. The problem can be readily alleviated by the addition of a suitable buffering agent to the spray tank.

Strawberries

Add the required amount of product to half of the water in the spray tank. Then add the remainder of the water and mix well. Apply at least 500 L of spray mixture per hectare. Flint 500 WG

Export of Treated ProduceMaximum Residue Limits (MRLs) may be lower or not be established in export markets. Check with your Industry Association or Bayer CropScience prior to using this product on crops destined for export. Bagging of bunches prior to spraying will reduce the likelihood of detectable residues occurring in bananas. Apples, Pears, Strawberries and Table Grapes: If you are growing apples, pears or strawberries for export, or table grapes for export (either fresh or dried), see the comment under Export Harvest Interval. Wine Grapes: Where this product will be used on grapes that will be used to produce wine destined for export markets, seek advice from the Australian Wine Research Institute or Bayer CropScience to ensure the wine will meet the requirements of the intended importing country.

PRECAUTIONS

Re-entry

DO NOT allow entry into treated areas until the spray has dried, unless wearing cotton overalls buttoned to the neck and wrist, a washable hat and chemical resistant gloves. Clothing must be laundered after each day’s use.

Caution

DO NOT use human flaggers/markers unless they are protected by engineering controls such as enclosed cabs.

PROTECTION OF LIVESTOCK

Low hazard to bees - product may be applied to plants at any time of day. 
DO NOT allow stock to graze in any treated areas.
PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE, FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND ENVIRONMENT
Dangerous to fish and other aquatic organisms.
DO NOT apply if heavy rain or storms are forecast to occur within the immediate areas.
DO NOT apply under weather conditions or from spraying equipment which could be expected to cause spray to drift 
onto adjacent areas, particularly streams, rivers or other bodies of water. 
DO NOT contaminate streams, rivers or waterways with the chemical or used containers.

STORAGE AND DISPOSAL

Store in closed original container in a dry, well ventilated place as cool as possible out of direct sunlight. The method of disposal of the container depends on the container type. Read the STORAGE AND DISPOSAL instructions on the label that is attached to the container.

SAFETY DIRECTIONS

Will irritate the skin. Avoid contact with skin. When opening the container, preparing spray and using the prepared spray, wear cotton overalls buttoned to the neck and wrist, a washable hat and elbow-length PVC gloves. Wash hands after use. After each day's use, wash gloves and contaminated clothing.

FIRST AID

If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

Additional information is listed in the Material Safety Data Sheet, which can be obtained from www.bayercropscience.com

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY

This product must be used strictly as directed, and in accordance with all instructions appearing on the label and in 
other reference material. So far as it is lawfully able to do so, Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility for loss or damage arising from failure to follow such directions and instructions.

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist,

Room 1305, Hotel Ramada Plaza Melaka,

Jalan Bendahara, Melaka,

Malaysia.

(12 September 2013)