by Layne Wade, Technical Sales Support, Arysta LifeScience

The Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus once said, “Prevention is better than cure.” While Erasmus probably wasn’t talking about disease control programs for vineyards, the expression captures the proactive, start-early approach to Powdery mildew management that grape growers need.

Chances are, if you had a Powdery mildew problem in 2017, your vines are at greater risk for this widespread fungal disease in 2018. Powdery mildew can overwinter in grapes and cause serious problems as early as the bud-break stage and before symptoms are visible. The amount of overwintering inoculum matters when it comes to Powdery mildew infections, so it’s critical to have a well-designed preventative program, especially when going into a potentially high-pressure year.

Experience has proved that a preventative program provides the best control for Powdery mildew. Good early-season control not only helps prevent mildew establishment but reduces the risk for mildew epidemics later. To protect vineyards from overwintering Powdery mildew, start fungicide sprays early — but not before vines start producing new growth — and repeat sprays at appropriate intervals.

VITICURE® Fungicide from Arysta LifeScience is an economical and highly effective fungicide that provides both preventative and curative action against the fungus that causes Powdery mildew. The active ingredient in VITICURE is a unique imidazole that’s rapidly absorbed and locally systemic, which improves disease protection by movement across leaf tissue. There’s no known cross-resistance to other triazoles in the demethylation inhibitor (DMI) group of Group 3 fungicides, making VITICURE an ideal member of your resistance management program.

To learn more about the Arysta LifeScience portfolio of crop protection products, and if VITICURE is right for your vineyard, contact your crop protection retailer, visit www.arysta-na.com or call 886-761-9397.

^{Always read and follow label directions. VITICURE is a registered trademark of an Arysta LifeScience Group Company. Arysta LifeScience and the Arysta LifeScience logo are registered trademarks of Arysta LifeScience Corporation. © 2018 Arysta LifeScience Group Company. SPC-17108A2}