New Onion Fungicide matches its predecessor

Onion White Rot, Sclerotium cepivorum is a soilborne fungal disease that severely affects onion crops, leading to significant yield losses. The pathogen infects plants through sclerotia, dormant fungal structures that can persist in the soil for years. When onion roots release certain compounds, the sclerotia germinate, producing spores that infect the plant’s roots. The fungus then spreads through the root system, causing rot, wilting, and eventual plant death.

Phil Bertram, Upper North Island Regional business manager for Bayer Crop Science says, “Due to its long-lasting persistence in the soil and its ability to devastate entire crops, Onion White Rot is a challenging disease to manage in onion production. And while cultural control measures such as crop rotation can help, use of fungicides such as Luna Experience to control the disease which will deliver a healthy, high yielding crop.”

Powered by the complementary biological mode of action of its two active ingredients, fluopyram and tebuconazole, Luna Experience effectively disrupts the life cycle of Sclerotium cepivorum, the fungal pathogen responsible for Onion White Rot.

The two active ingredients of Luna Experience are what make it so effective. Horticulture and Biologics Product Manager for Bayer Crop Science Marc Fox says, “Fluopyram and Tebuconazole both have systemic properties. And because they have two different modes of action, they target multiple stages of the fungal lifecycle in the following areas to deliver robust control and contribute to resistance management:

• Inhibition of Spore Germination: prevents the initial activation of sclerotia, stopping the disease before it can establish in the field. This early intervention reduces overall disease pressure and prevents crop infection.
• Blocking Germ Tube Attachment and Elongation: disrupt germ tube attachment to plant roots and prevents the pathogen from successfully infecting the plant. This crucial step reduces the likelihood of disease spread within the field.
• Stopping Penetration of Plant Cells: actively halts their penetration of spores attempt to invade plant tissues.
• Inhibiting Sporulation: prevents the formation of new spores, breaking the infection cycle and reducing the presence of sclerotia in the soil over time. This long-term benefit can help maintain healthier fields season after season.

Phil adds, “By inhibiting spore germination, preventing plant cell penetration, and stopping sporulation, Luna Experience provides a comprehensive defence against this persistent pathogen. When applied early and incorporated effectively, Luna Experience helps growers safeguard their onion crops, ensuring healthier plants and higher yields.”

Best Use Guidelines to ensure optimal performance for Luna Experience

• Early intervention maximizes its effectiveness by protecting young plants before they become vulnerable to infection.
  • Apply the first Luna Experience application at 1.25 L/ha at 100 – 150 OWRDD (onion white rot degree days). Typically, at the flag growth stage.
  • Apply the second Luna Experience one month after the first.
• It is necessary to have Luna Experience washed into the soil around developing roots. Ensure Luna Experience applications are timed shortly before a rainfall event or apply sufficient irrigation to ensure distribution of the active ingredients to allow them to reach the root zone.
• Water rate: Apply in 1000 litres of water/ha
• Resistance management: Use Luna Experience for the first 2 sprays. Follow with a fungicide from a different chemical group having a different mode of action. Do not follow with Luna Devotion

Luna^® Experience is registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 No. P9947, and approved pursuant to the HSNO Act 1996, No. HSR101563.

Luna^® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group