Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
www.pulseaus.com.au
PA 2010 #16
Locust Control in Pulse CropsTrevor Bray, Pulse Australia
Key points Only use an insecticide that is registered or has a permit for locust control in the specific
pulse crop. Users must obtain, read and adhere to the conditions of APVMA permits prior to use. Follow label directions and pay attention to the WHP (withholding period) – Following
pesticide application, the relevant withholding period MUST expire BEFORE cutting forhay, windrowing, harvest or undertaking of any similar operation.
Plan well ahead in choosing the most appropriate product(s) to suit your situation asavailability may become an issue as the season progresses.
Be aware of the receival standards that apply to insect contamination (alive or dead) andgrain damage from locust feeding.
Be aware of nil tolerance for odour and taints that could arise from crushing locustsduring harvest, handling or while in storage.
Avoid inadvertent contamination of grain with other chemicals not used in pulses.
It is likely that the large numbers of locust eggs laid last autumn in southern NSW and northern Victoria, will resultin widespread hatchings this spring. Landholders and land managers are expected to report hatchings and tocontrol infestations on their own property, unless control of the density is beyond their means or it is public landwhere activities may need to be taken by specific government agencies.
The most effective and easiest way for landholders to control locusts is byground spraying the hoppers when they have formed into denseaggregations called bands. This normally occurs from 1-2 weeks afterhatching. The time available for controlling an outbreak is short withhoppers taking about 5 weeks to develop into swarming adults. Hoppersare most likely to hatch in pasture paddocks and along roadsides, fence-lines and non-cultivated ground around the crop perimeter, but somehoppers may hatch from egg beds laid within crops particularly bare areassuch as wheel tracks where tram lining is practiced.
It is critical in these situations that the correct insecticide is used to avoid residue issues. Australian grain producemust meet minimum residue levels (MRLs). Individual deliveries of grain will be tested for chemical residues, todetect the use of unapproved pesticides and to ensure that withholding periods have been followed.
Contamination of the harvested grain by dead locusts may affect quality and lead to a downgrade at delivery.The presence of locust bodies and parts in samples at receival is subject to the current receival standards. There isa nil tolerance for staining and objectionable odours. Further information is available in the Pulse Australia bulletintitled Locust can impact on pulse deliveries and pulse receival standards that can be viewed on the Pulse Australiawebsite, www.pulseaus.com.au.
While it is well known that cereals are particularly vulnerable to locusts, the susceptibility of the various pulses isuncertain, but we must assume that they could be attacked while they remain green. It is important to note that:
Established green crops are susceptible to damage by adult locusts but tend to be avoided by hoppers(immature locusts), although crop edges can be damaged and may warrant a perimeter spray.
Locusts cause little damage to crops that have dried off, but crops that are beginning to dry down whenlocusts begin to fly are still susceptible to attack.
Even slight damage to pulse crops that have a high grain value or are destined for specific export marketscould justify the cost of control.
As a general rule, hopper and adult numbers should be closely monitored, and if any damage is seen, thenspraying should be commenced immediately.
Comply with label directions for the chosen insecticide and pay particular attention to withholding periods(WHP) for harvest/windrowing or swathing, and for grazing/fodder.
Locust Control in Pulse Crops Page 2 of 2
www.pulseaus.com.au
Pulse Crops: APVMA permits and registrations for individual crops
NSW Qld SA WA VIC WHPGrazing
Interval ^Adzuki beanalpha-cypermethrin
PER12329
# 14 days 14 days
lambda-cyhalothrin # 14 days 14 days
gamma-cyhalothrin # 14 days 14 days
cypermethrin # 14 days 14 days
Chickpea
alpha-cypermethrin
PER10927
# 21 days 35 days
beta-cyfluthrin # 14 days 7 days
lambda-cyhalothrin # 7 days 7 days
gamma-cyhalothrin # 7 days 7 days
cypermethrin PER 10928 # 21 days 35 days
Metarhizium anisopliae Registered not required not required
Faba beanalpha-cypermethrin
PER10927
# 28 days 35 days
beta-cyfluthrin # 14 days 7 days
lambda-cyhalothrin # 7 days 7 days
gamma-cyhalothrin # 7 days 7 days
cypermethrin PER 10928 # 28 days 35 days
Metarhizium anisopliae Registered not required not required
Field peaalpha-cypermethrin
PER10927
# 28 days not specified
beta-cyfluthrin # 7 days 7 days
lambda-cyhalothrin # 7 days 7 days
gamma-cyhalothrin # 7 days 7 days
cypermethrin PER 10928 # 28 days 28 days
Maldison PER11843 PER12255 PER11658 # 3 days not specified
Metarhizium anisopliae Registered not required not required
Lentil
lambda-cyhalothrinPER10927
# 7 days 7 days
gamma-cyhalothrin # 7 days 7 days
Metarhizium anisopliae Registered not required not required
Lupin
alpha-cypermethrin
PER10927
# 28 days not specified
beta-cyfluthrin # 14 days 7 days
lambda-cyhalothrin # 14 days 14 days
gamma-cyhalothrin # 14 days 14 days
cypermethrin PER 10928 # 24 days not specified
Metarhizium anisopliae Registered not required not required
methidathion PER11658 * 7 days not specified
Mungbean
alpha-cypermethrinPER10927
# 7 days not specified
lambda-cyhalothrin # 14 days 14 days
gamma-cyhalothrin # 14 days 14 days
cypermethrin PER 10928 # 7 days not specified
Metarhizium anisopliae Registered not required not required
Navy bean
alpha-cypermethrin
PER10927
# 7 days not specified
beta-cyfluthrin # 14 days 7 days
lambda-cyhalothrin # 14 days 14 days
gamma-cyhalothrin # 14 days 14 days
cypermethrin PER 10928 # 7 days not specified
Metarhizium anisopliae Registered not required not required
Vetch
lambda-cyhalothrinPER10927
# 7 days 7 days
gamma-cyhalothrin # 7 days 7 days
Metarhizium anisopliae Registered not required not required
WHP (withholding period) - Following pesticide application, the relevant withholding period MUST expire BEFORE cutting for hay,windrowing, harvest or the undertaking of any similar operation.
# Permit not required as Victorian ‘control-of-use’ legislation allows this off-label use in Victoria. For further information contact DPI Victoria.
* Methidathion, a S7 chemical, cannot be used off-label in Vic unless a S25A permit has been issued by the Vic DPI.
^ The SAFEMEAT Plague Locust Brochure should be consulted for managing residues in livestock available on the website -www.safemeat.com.au
Locust Control in Pulse Crops Page 3 of 3
www.pulseaus.com.au
There are a number of products that are registered or under permit tocontrol locusts in various states in Australia. The chart above is aguide to what is available to control locusts in pulse crops. Victoria isthe exception because of the ‘control-of-use’ legislation thattechnically does not require a permit provided the insecticide alreadyhas a registered use in that crop. Farmers still need to adhere to theWHP (withholding period) to ensure that residues do not exceed thecurrent MRL. Farmers are encouraged to consult with local advisorsor chemical resellers when choosing the most appropriate product(s)and plan well ahead as availability of suitable products could becomean issue as the season progresses.
The above chart lists the active ingredients that are currently approved by the APVMA under permit (includingpermit number) or that have label registrations, along with the relevant withholding periods. The chart contains anactive link to the registration or relevant permit when viewing this bulletin electronically. Or go to the APVMAwebsite http://www.apvma.gov.au/permits/search.php and enter the relevant permit number from the chart.
Figure 1: The standard life cycle of Australian Plague Locust.Source: GRDC Fact Sheet – Plague locust control.
Management of locusts in grain cropsThe decision on how locusts in crops are bestmanaged is affected by a range of factorsincluding:
Growth stage of the crop(i.e. any green plant material or crophas completely dried off).
Ability to harvest early. (Desiccationmay be an option to advance harvest)
Delivery standards required for thespecific pulse. (May be worthdiscussing requirements with potentialbuyers)
Risk to market from pesticideresidues. (WHP forwindrowing/swathing is the same asharvest)
Ability to clean physical locustcontamination from harvested grain.
Direct links to federal & state department websites:
http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/locusts
http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/plague-locusts
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds/insects/locusts
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/locust
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/4790_8269.htm
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/PC_92901.html?s=900529774
http://www.grdc.com.au/uploads/documents/Plague_Locusts_Factsheets.pdf
