Bayer Crop Science’s foliar fungicide Caligula has been authorised by the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) for use on sugar beet crops, to help growers better control the late-season Cercospora leaf spot disease.
Caligula contains fluopyrgam and prothioconazole, and growers will now be able to apply a single application of the fungicide after September 1, at a maximum rate of 1.2l/ha. Though, Bayer recommend that Caligula is applied at a rate if 1.0l/ha.
Following the CRD’s authorisation on August 2, 2022, the CRD also applied select conditions to the fungicide’s usage:
- Sugar beet tops treated with Caligula must be disposed of and not fed to livestock;
- Manual removal of boaters should be completed before spraying where possible;
- If Caligula has been sprayed in the last 48 hours, do not enter the field to remove bolters;
- Workers are required to wear suitable protective gloves when handling treated sugar beet crops, or when manually removing weed beet or bolted beet plants within six weeks post-Caligula treatment. (Gloves must reach a minimum of the safety standards EN374-1:2016 Type A and EN388:2016 (3 1 2 1 X).
Nonetheless, Bayer root crop campaign manager Antonia Walker said that this authorisation will help growers protect their yield potential.
“For the 2022 season, the restriction of a single application after September 1 means that for the majority of growers Caligula will be the third and final spray of the season. Several years of trials demonstrate that Caligula offers unrivalled protection against Cercospora leaf spot, suggesting it will become the default choice for the third spray of the season. We are continuing to gather the data needed to support authorisation for two applications per crop,” Ms Walker said.
Ms Walker added that the authorisation of Caligula will help growers respect resistance management guidelines: “The authorisation for Caligula means growers can protect crops against the principal disease threats while keeping the door closed to Cercospora.”
For further product information and guidance please visit cropscience.bayer.co.uk/our-products/fungicides/caligula/.
