Growers have a new naturally derived addition to their pest control toolbox – AzaPro provides 3-in-1 control of more than 300 different insects, mites and nematodes without leaving visible residue on crops.
“AzaPro is a broad-spectrum insecticide/nematicide utilizing a highly bioactive form of azadirachtin,” says Sym-Agro President Peter Bierma. “The innovative clean formulation contains 75% less carrier oil – so AzaPro will not leave an oily visible residue on the treated produce or fruit.”
AzaPro has a dual mode of action, acting primarily as an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR), and its residual formula acts as a repellent. It is designed to provide greater bio-efficacy toward a broad spectrum of more than 300 insect species including: mites, aphids, thrips, leafhoppers, leafminers, beetles, mealy bugs, weevil, lepidoptera, pear psylla and more. In addition, AzaPro provides nematode suppression. It can safely be used up to the day of harvest.
AzaPro is a proven IGR that kills insect larvae or nymphs before they become reproducing adults. It is deadly to sucking and chewing insect pests, yet has minimal impact on non-target beneficial species. AzaPro kills larval stages and nymphs by interfering with the insect molting hormone (ecdysone).
“Whiteflies and other insects that feed on the undersides of leaves can be difficult to control with sprays directed only over the top of the plant,” says Bierma. “AzaPro penetrates the plant by translaminar movement to provide control of these hard-to-reach pests.”
Repeated applications of AzaPro build a “barrier” within the plant to prevent establishment of large pest populations. For growers concerned about crop oil loading, it can help reduce the season-long accumulation of oil, which is known to affect plant vigor.
AzaPro fits easily into IPM and IRM programs. AzaPro can be applied in combination or rotation with currently available products such as synthetic pyrethroid and organophosphate (OPs) insecticides. The botanical IGR has a 0-day pre-harvest interval (PHI), a 4-hour re-entry interval (REI) and is OMRI listed.