New fungicide option for disease control in lettuce

Growers of protected and outdoor lettuce have another option for controlling three key diseases this season, BASF has announced.

This follows the full label approval for the use of Signum (boscalid and pyraclostrobin) to control Sclerotinia, Rhizoctonia and Botrytis, the firm said.

BASF recommend applying the product to lettuce as a protectant before infection has taken place as soon as the young plants have recovered after transplanting, at a dose rate of 1.5 kg/ha in water volumes of 200 to 900 litres.

As infection in lettuce takes place on petioles and older leaves in contact with the soil, the firm says it is better to make the first application of Signum before the outer leaves touch the soil and as early as possible in the spray programme.