Fandango returns to fight rhynchosporium

Bayer CropScience has confirmed that Fandango (prothioconazole + fluoxastrobin) will be available from 1 May following an extensive testing programme.

After problems with the formulation last year, the company said it wanted to show a clean bill of health before releasing the 2010 production volume.

This means Fandango will be available for barley T2 sprays, and with some spring barleys a few weeks away from GS31 some growers will have it as a T1 option too.

Product Manager Alison Daniels said: “After the unexpected problems in 2009, we needed to be sure that the 2010 allocation meets the quality control standards that we and our customers expect.

For many growers Fandango is the cornerstone of their barley disease control programmes – we wanted to be confident that the normal high standard of formulation has been fully restored.”

Dr Daniels also confirmed that Bayer CropScience would be quality controlling all stock received into the UK prior to 1 May.

After clearing this check, the product would be released.

Fandango’s availability was right on cue to meet the rising threat of Rhynchosporium, Dr Daniels added.

“On Rhynchosporium there is nothing that matches Fandango protectively or curatively. HGCA fungicide dose response trials confirm that Fandango is still the best option growers have against all key barley diseases.”

Bayer has confirmed that the return of Fandango in cereals also secures the launch of Unicur in onions (prothioconazole + fluoxastrobin).