Rainfast characteristics of insecticides on fruit - Fruit & Nuts

2021-12-25 08:59:24 By : Mr. SUNCHIP SUNCHIP

John Wise, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Entomology - June 18, 2019

Precipitation can impact the performance of insecticides on fruit crops, but some compounds resist wash-off.

The rainfall events experienced in Michigan have prompted questions about the relative “rainfastness” of the insecticides used in fruit production. In 2006, AgBioResearch provided funds to purchase and install a state-of-the-art rainfall simulation chamber at the Trevor Nichols Research Center (TNRC), after which Michigan State University Extension has conducted trials on fruit crops for a range of insecticides.

There are several critical factors that influence impact of precipitation on a pesticide’s performance. First is the plant-penetrative attributes of the various compounds. Some pesticide chemistries, like organophosphates, have limited penetrative potential in plant tissue, and thus are considered primarily as surface materials. Some compounds, such as carbamates, oxadiazines and pyrethroids, penetrate plant cuticles, providing some resistance to wash-off. Many newer compounds, such as spinosyns, diamides, avermectins and some Insect Growth Regulators (IGR), readily penetrate plant cuticles and have translaminar movement in leaf tissue. Others, like the neonicotinoid insecticides, are systemic and can have translaminar (moves from top surface to bottom of leaf) as well as acropetal movement in the plant’s vascular system (moves from center to growing tips of leaves). Penetration into plant tissue is generally expected to enhance rainfastness of pesticides.

The second factor is the inherent toxicity of an insecticide to the target pest and the persistence of the compound in the environment. In some cases, a compound may be susceptible to wash-off, but its environmental persistence and inherent toxicity to the target pest compensates for the loss of residue, thus delaying the need for immediate re-application.

The third factor is the amount of precipitation. In general, organophosphate insecticides have the highest susceptibility to wash-off from precipitation, but following light rainfall their high field-rate toxicity to most target pests overcomes the necessity for immediate re-application. Neonicotinoid insecticides are moderately susceptible to wash-off with residues that have moved systemically into plant tissue being highly rainfast, and surface residues less so. Carbamate, IGR and oxadiazine insecticides are moderately susceptible to wash-off and vary widely in their toxicity to the range of relevant fruit pests. Diamide, spinosyn, avermectin and pyrethroid insecticides have proven to be moderate to highly rainfast on most fruit crops.

For most insecticides, a drying time of two to six hours is sufficient to “set” the compound in or on the plant. With neonicotinoids, for which plant penetration is important, drying time can significantly influence rainfastness. For neonicotinoids, up to 24 hours is needed for optimal plant penetration, thus the time proximity of precipitation after application should be considered carefully. Spray adjuvants, materials intended to aid the retention, penetration or spread on the plant, can also improve the performance of insecticides.

Based on results from current studies, the following charts have been developed to serve as a guide for general rainfastness characteristics and re-application recommendations for certain insect pests (also printed in the “2019 Michigan Fruit Management Guide,” E0154). Note that these recommendations should not supersede insecticide label restrictions or farm-level knowledge based on site-specific pest scouting, but rather are meant to compliment a comprehensive pest management decision-making process.

Highly rainfast = ≤ 30% residue wash-off Moderately rainfast = ≤ 50% residue wash-off Low rainfast = ≤ 70% residue wash-off Systemic = Systemic residues remain within plant tissue

* Number of days after insecticide application that the precipitation event occurred. Insufficient insecticide residue = Insufficient insecticide residue remains to provide significant activity on the target pest, and thus re-application is recommended. Sufficient insecticide residue = Sufficient insecticide residue remaining to provide significant activity on the target pest, although residual activity may be reduced.

* Number of days after insecticide application that the precipitation event occurred. Insufficient insecticide residue = Insufficient insecticide residue remains to provide significant activity on the target pest, and thus re-application is recommended. Sufficient insecticide residue = Sufficient insecticide residue remaining to provide significant activity on the target pest, although residual activity may be reduced.

* Number of days after insecticide application that the precipitation event occurred. Insufficient insecticide residue = Insufficient insecticide residue remains to provide significant activity on the target pest, and thus re-application is recommended. Sufficient insecticide residue = Sufficient insecticide residue remaining to provide significant activity on the target pest, although residual activity may be reduced.

* Number of days after insecticide application that the precipitation event occurred. Insufficient insecticide residue = Insufficient insecticide residue remains to provide significant activity on the target pest, and thus re-application is recommended. Sufficient insecticide residue = Sufficient insecticide residue remaining to provide significant activity on the target pest, although residual activity may be reduced.

*Number of days after insecticide application that the precipitation event occurred. Insufficient insecticide residue = Insufficient insecticide residue remains to provide significant activity on the target pest, and thus an immediate re-application is recommended. Sufficient insecticide residue = Sufficient insecticide residue remaining to provide significant activity on the target pest, although residual activity may be reduced.

*Number of days after insecticide application that the precipitation event and presence of SWD adults (assuming rainfall no more than 24 hours after insecticide spray). Insufficient insecticide residue = Insufficient insecticide residue remains to provide significant activity on the target pest, and thus an immediate re-application is recommended. Sufficient insecticide residue = Sufficient insecticide residue remaining to provide significant activity on the target pest, although residual activity may be reduced.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?

Check out the Crop and Soil Sciences B.S. program!

Check out the MSU Fruit and Vegetable Crop Management Certificate Program!

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).