After increased mite pressure in apple orchards in recent seasons and more than a decade since a new mode of action miticide has been introduced, a new product hitting the shelves always was going to be a valuable addition for growers’ control programs.

Nick Gray, agronomist with Elders at Pakenham, located in the large horticultural production area east of Melbourne, said mite infestations had been a concern in apple orchards through the Mornington Peninsula region for the last three years.

“They have been pretty bad. We have had dry conditions and then wet weather, so we have had the humidity. Dry conditions again can then kick them off as well,” he said.

Mr Gray said mites can cause reduced pack-outs, with fruit “just not up to quality.”

He has been supporting growers in the area for six years and works closely with the company’s agronomists in the wider region, based at Warragul and in the Yarra Valley.

Mr Gray was keen to use the new Kanemite miticide with growers last season after conducting a novel demonstration trial with the new product the previous year.

“We had a play with it in the field and it was good to see the control it offered. It produced very good results in that situation. Together with the grower, we observed about 90–95 per cent control.”

Kanemite from UPL is a Group 20B miticide that not only controls two-spotted mite in apples, but also in pears, nectarines, peaches, plums, apricots and cherries.

Containing the active ingredient, acequinocyl, the systemic insecticide is ideally applied early in spray programs for rapid knockdown and extended control of two-spotted mite.

Kanemite controls all life cycle stages of the mite, including eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults, and is soft on beneficial insects and predatory mites, enhancing its use in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

With no known cross-resistance to other miticides, UPL says Kanemite also can be confidently applied in rotation with other modes of action to assist resistance management programs, and its excellent crop safety has been well highlighted, with no phytotoxicity or fruit blemishes reported.

Mr Gray said having a new product to rotate into growers’ programs was a major benefit, helping to reduce the reliance on older chemistry.

“A lot of the older chemistry is becoming less effective. There is minor through to significant resistance of probably 80 per cent of the existing miticides being used.

“The brand-new mode of action group with Kanemite is probably its biggest drawcard, as well as the fact it is suitable for use in IPM programs. Some of the older chemistry is not as soft, although Acramite – another UPL product, is quite good.

“Kanemite is very good on the ‘beneficials’, like predatory mites, helping to prevent flare-ups of other pests like woolly apple aphid.”

Mr Gray said there also was only one other product available that killed all life cycle stages of the mites, but again, it contained particularly old chemistry.

“Having another chemical to kill all stages of the mites is a bonus, although in most cases we will take a look and see what numbers are there. We may use Kanemite just to target the eggs and achieve good control.”

He said growers last season generally applied two to three miticide sprays, but also up to four in heavily infested orchard blocks.

The biggest focus with grower applications of Kanemite was the need to maintain high water rates of 1000–1500 litres per hectare, depending upon the tree canopy.

“Even though this means it takes longer to carry out spray treatments, it is critical to ensure good coverage,” he said.

Mr Gray said Kanemite also offered good compatibility, allowing for other products like fungicides to be added with applications, and its crop safety was excellent.