FULL LABEL approval for using Amistar (azoxystrobin) in a range of outdoor brassica crops has been granted by the Pesticides Safety Directorate, Syngenta has announced.

Previously Amistar was only available to use under Specific Off-Label Approval on a limited number of brassica crops for the control of Black rot infection. But this latest approval significantly widens the range of crops covered, the firm said.

Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, spring greens, calabrese, cauliflower, kale and broccoli are covered by the new recommendations, for growers looking to control White blister, Ring spot and Alternaria.

“Field wastage in brassica crop production and losses through the value chain costs UK growers an estimated £10m a year,” commented the firm’s vegetable crop manager, Bruce McKenzie.

“Market demands and specifications for clean, high quality produce are getting ever more rigorous. With the approval of Amistar growers have the opportunity to enhance yield and crop quality.”

Brussels sprout trials comparing ring spot and white blister control using an Amistar-based programme found a 1kg per 10 plants yield increase compared to a conventional triazole-based programme, the firm said.