BASF launches fungicide Priaxor EC in UK

A wheat fungicide Priaxor EC (fluxapyroxad+ pyraclostrobin+tetraconazole) from BASF has been launched in UK ahead of the all-important T2 spray timing, claiming to be a “potent combination” for septoria and rust control.

BASF says its new product Priaxor EC, which contains an SDHI plus strobilurin chemistry, is aimed squarely for spraying at the flag leaf growth stage – a vital part of the crop to keep free of disease to build yield.

Mark Hemmant, technical manager at Agrovista, which is the sole distributor of the product this season, hailed the new product as a “major step forward” for control, welcome in years with high wheat disease pressure.

Given the recent changeable weather and the difficulties this has caused growers with applying a timely T0 and T1 spray, he says crops will need some looking after at T2.

“With all fungicide programmes we need to remain in a protectant situation wherever possible, we didn’t think our Librax (fluxapyroxad + metconazole)/Ennobe (epoxiconazole + prochloraz) combination could be beaten.

“But from what we’ve seen in trials, Priaxor EC plus Eclipse looks to be a major step forward – it’s as good as anything on septoria and much better on rusts.

“This is probably the most potent combination we’ve seen against the key wheat diseases.”

Mr Hemmant says he believes this combination will have a broad appeal, adding that a robust dose of pyraclostrobin can still have a positive effect against septoria and is strong on yellow and brown rusts.