PLANT PROTECTION 1 – Pests, Diseases and Weeds

PLANT PROTECTION 1 – Pests, Diseases and Weeds
Table. 71. Leaf anti-transpirants, soil wetting agents, water storage some examples
TYPE THE PRODUCT SOME USES
Trade name
Active constituent
Read label, obtain advice from company
FOLIAGE ANTI-
TRANSPIRANTS
Foliage anti-transpirants may reduce water loss from leaves by up to 50% and protect plants from
extremes of drought, heat, sun, frost, wind and salt damage. Often used when transplanting
seedlings to allow time for roots to recover. Improves survival rate of cuttings by up to 90 days.
As the plant expands the film becomes thinner (fast growing plants may require more frequent
applications). Follow label directions for use as some anti-transpirants can be phytotoxic depending
on the temperature, plant species, etc. Anti-transpirants have been used as weed control agents.
ANTI-STRESS
blend of non-toxic soluble
polymers suspended in water
ENVY
carboxylated hydrophilic polymer
THERMOMAX
composted valerian, dandelion
and chamomile herbs
Foliar spray on grapes designed to reduce damage to crops
when exposed to frost, wind and excessive heat.
Used for relief of wilt and water stress, improvement of water
use efficiency and protection against fungal diseases, eg rusts,
powdery mildews. Sprayed on leaves to prevent water loss,
improve survival of transplants and reduce water use while
rooting ornamental cuttings.
Has provided a better than 50% increase in fruit set (on apples)
o
over the control at -2 C of frost in NZ. An organic frost spray
can increase fruit set on various fruit crops, including
o
grapes in frosts down to -2 C (Rebbeck and Knell, 2007).
DROUGHTSHIELD,
STRESSGUARD
blend of acrylic polymers
plastic). This clear, flexible and biodegradable ’plastic’ film coats
the leaves and will expand to some degree with leaf growth and
expansion, to reduce transpiration, UV light and frost damage.
May be used to extend the life of cut Christmas trees.
SOIL WETTING
AGENTS
Some are called
soil penetrants
Soil wetting agents may be applied to the surface or mixed into the top few centimeters of soil or
potting mixes which have become water repellent. Soil wetting agents overcome the waxy coating of
soil particles and allow water to penetrate into the pore spaces between them. They help water
penetrate into hard soils. Soil wetting agents decreases surface tension and aids the successful
rewetting of soils (Leeson 2009). Wetting agents affect fish and tadpoles so do not use near water.
Attributes of a soil wetting agent.
Ability to provide good even wetting of the soil both laterally and vertically to prevent
preferential flow. Usually impact on water repellency to a depth of 1-2 cm, a very few to 5 cm.
Persist in the soil for the maximum time (several years) while being non-toxic and finally
breaking down into non-toxic residues, biodegradable. They allow water to rewet soil
effectively.
–
–
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Should not cause run off or leaching of nutrients and pesticides from the root zone.
– Wetting agents must be designed for use in soil, must be safe to use on plants (some may
damage some plants; inhibit seed germination, leaf burn).
Soil wetting agents.
Does your soil need a soil wetting agent? Is it hydrophobic? Put some soil in a dish, make
–
a well and pour on some water, if hydrophic it will sit there, if not, the water is quickly absorbed.
– Soil wetting agents are not the wetting agents used when applying certain pesticides.
– May be applied as liquids or as granules of clay or other inert material impregnated with
surfactant. Granules have low burn potential, are expensive, but are easy to apply to garden
beds and surrounds, or at turf renovation.
– Active constituents. Soil wetting agents are typically polymers, ie most are co-polymers
(long lasting but more phytotoxic than some newer types), lubricant poly-oxyalkylene
glycols (shorter lasting but less phytotoxic, good soil wetting properties, applied more
frequently).
– Eco-friendly wetting agents are highly biodegradable so they are short-lived and rewetting is
severely diminished so need to be applied more frequently. They are non-phytotoxic.
Use one for your situation, eg Aquaforce for turf.
ECOWET
Mixture of ingredients determined not to be
according to the NOHSC
(National Occupational Health and Safety
Commission).
SACOA PERSIST SOIL WETTER
polyether modified polysiloxane
SEASOL SUPER SOIL WETTER &
CONDITIONER
active ingredients not stated on label
YATES SOIL SATURATOR
surfactants, seaweed, acrylic copolymer, trace
elements
A non-ionic wetter, spreader and penetrant for use with
agricultural pesticides.
Seasol is an organic plant conditioner. Taken up by
the plant, helps improve drought and frost tolerance,
improves plant establishment and disease resistance.
Non-parasitic pests and diseases 405