BASF Canada has received registration from the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for the use of HEADLINE® fungicide on sunflowers to protect the crop against a most serious leaf disease, sunflower rust.

"This registration is a critical one for sunflower growers in western Canada,” stated Wayne Barton, Market Manager for Fungicides for BASF Canada. "Two cases of sunflower rust have recently been confirmed in Manitoba. Fortunately, because of the delayed growing season this year, growers still have time to protect their crop from this tough-to-manage infection and protect their crops’ yield.”

Sunflower rust is an extremely damaging disease, with early infections reducing yields by anywhere from 25 to 50 per cent. According to the Manitoba disease survey, sunflower rust was present in 74 per cent of the surveyed fields in 2008.

For optimum performance, HEADLINE should be applied at 0.4 L/ha prior to disease development. Growers should apply a second time 10 to 14 days later if disease persists, or if weather conditions are favourable for disease development.

"BASF continues to research and develop innovative technologies, such as HEADLINE, for the benefit of Canadian growers,” concluded Barton. “This registration and our collaboration with the National Sunflower Association of Canada also reflect the commitment BASF has made to supporting growers of specialty crops with valuable, effective crop protection products.”