Mel Turner, National Marketing Manager and Sales Manager for Western Australia and the Northern Territory at 7 Worlds Ag, said copper fungicides must attack disease pathogens in multiple ways, to makes them far less prone to developing resistance.
“This multi-site mode of action also makes copper fungicides a safe and solid choice to use in rotation with newer chemistries, which tend to be highly targeted with a single mode of action,” Ms Turner said.
“This means that when these newer fungicides are used alone, they are far more likely to develop resistance and often quite quickly.”
The team at 7 Worlds Ag says the company offers the widest range of products in Australia.
“Built on years of research, development and field experience, we understand the features and benefits of different copper formulations, so we can recommend and supply the product best suited to the crop, the season, the geography and weather conditions,” Ms Turner said.
The company’s copper range includes Bordeaux WG, Tribasic Liquid, Hydrocop WG, Coppox WG, Oxydul WG and Ag Copp 750 WG.
First used in Australia for its fungicidal properties 150 years ago, copper products now feature far more advanced formulations which use lower levels of the active ingredient in much more effective liquid and granular formulations.
“Today’s compounds are more active, which means we are applying less copper to crops but getting better fungicidal activity,” she said.
“7 Worlds Ag supplies all the copper formulations and it is reassuring for dealers and growers to know that copper is still a high performing fungicide that is delivering reliable and trusted results with no resistance issues.”
Key product highlights
Ms Turner described Bordeaux WG as a great all-rounder, because it is easy to handle and apply, and comes into its own as a winter clean-up in orchards.
“Bordeaux WG has a wide range of registrations in fruit, vegetables and nut crops and it is widely used in stone fruit and almond orchards to reduce the disease loading for the season ahead,” she said.
“The granules allow growers to avoid the messy task of mixing their own copper sulphate and lime solution.”
For growers who prefer to apply liquid copper, Tribasic Liquid is available in a convenient 10L pack, as well as its current 20L and 800L packs.
It is also easy to handle, sticks well and leaves lower visible residue on produce than other formulations.
Based on a tribasic copper sulphate formulation, the suspension concentrate formulation means no dust, small particles for better coverage and a formulation that is easy to handle.
Like other copper products in the 7 Worlds Ag range, this formulation features optimally sized particles for superior coverage and low rates of metallic copper, so there’s lower risk to the environment.
Ms Turner said growers may find Hydrocop WG a better option in drier regions, because it is more soluble than other formulations and quite cost-effective.
“This product is the only copper registered for post-flowering application in almonds, and like all our copper fungicides, Hydrocop WG provides excellent coverage and weatherability,” she said.
Hydrocop, Bordeaux and Ag Copp 750 WG are also suitable for organic crops, as they are certified by ACO Certification Ltd as inputs for organic production.
In wet, humid conditions, Ms Turner recommends growers consider Coppox WG, a copper oxychloride formulation, which has minimal heavy metal impurities, like all 7 Worlds Ag copper products.
“Growers also appreciate that the wettable granular formulation of Coppox means it flows well, has minimal dust and is easy to use,” she said.
Ag Copp 750 WG is a popular choice in tree crops like avocados, citrus and mangoes, because it is a 75 per cent active cupric oxide formulation.
This feature, coupled with its solubility characteristics, means Ag Copp is well suited to wetter regions that are prone to heavy dew, showery rain, mist and overhead irrigation where fungal diseases thrive.
“Ag Copp 750 WG is a red copper formulation that growers prefer in case there’s any residue left on their fruit,” Mel said.
Image name: Mel Turner in lychee orchard
Caption: Mel Turner, 7 Worlds Ag, is an expert in copper fungicides. Pic: Supplied
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