Fungicide Signum regains label for use in lettuce crops

The protectant and systemic fungicide Signum, which controls Sclerotinia, Rhizoctonia and Botrytis, has had its label recommendation for use in lettuce reinstated. Growers of outdoor and indoor lettuces can from this month (April) integrate the fungicide into their disease programme. BASF speciality agronomy manager Simon Townsend said: "The combination of boscalid and pyraclostrobin in Signum leads to top levels of disease control in lettuce and offers broad-spectrum activity. Signum is also active on non-label diseases such as Stemphyllium and has reduces the incidence of undesirable post-harvest symptoms such as pink rib, discoloration and dehydration."

In trials, Signum reduced Sclerotinia from 69 per cent in the untreated plot to 23 per cent in the treated area and resulted in yield increases of 75 per cent. "It also reduced Botrytis to just four per cent from 40 per cent in the untreated and increased yields by 78 per cent," added Townsend. "In trials aimed at Rhizoctonia, Signum increased marketable heads by 146 per cent." The first Signum spray should be applied to lettuce as a protectant application as soon as the young plants have recovered after transplanting, usually one-to-two weeks after planting, at a dose rate of 1.5kg/ha in water volumes of 200-900 litres. Two applications can be made.