Australia to approve Calix's Booster-Mag 609 SC Insecticide

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has proposed to approve Calix's Booster-Mag 609 SC Insecticide, a suspension concentrate formulation (SC) containing 609 g/L of the approved active constituent magnesium hydroxide.

The mode of action of magnesium hydroxide has not been fully elucidated. The active constituent is not directly toxic to insects or mites. Foliar sprays are likely to have a physical repellent effect through the formation of a coating of magnesium hydroxide on the leaf surface, inducing movement of plant feeding pests away from treated areas.

Booster-Mag 609 SC Insecticide is intended for the suppression of two-spotted mite (Tetranychus urticae) in tomatoes and cucurbits (field and protected crops). Proposed application methods are by ground boom spray at a rate of 1 to 2 L/ha. The product is to be applied regularly as a preventative/protective spray, at 7 to 14 day intervals, for as long as needed in the crop cycle to suppress mite populations. The recommended spray volume is 200 to 500 L/ha, increasing the water volume as the plant canopy increases. The product Booster-Mag 609 SC Insecticide will be manufactured in Australia.

The APVMA Chemistry section has evaluated the chemistry of the active constituent magnesium hydroxide and associated product Booster-Mag 609 SC Insecticide, including the manufacturing process, quality control procedures, stability, batch analysis results, and analytical methods, and found them to be acceptable. Based on a review of the chemistry and manufacturing details, the registration of Booster-Mag 609 SC Insecticide, and approval of the active constituent magnesium hydroxide, are supported from a chemistry perspective.