Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
May 13, 2015
Dow AgroSciences announced today that, in response to state requests, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted Section 18 emergency use exemptions in Kansas for the application of Transform® WG insecticide for control of sugarcane aphids in sorghum. Section 18 approvals previously were issued in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas for 2015.
Transform is a fast-acting insecticide from a proprietary class of chemistry from
Dow AgroSciences that was introduced commercially in 2013 in cotton, potatoes, canola, soybeans and other crops. Last year, Section 18s for Transform were granted in several states for control of sugarcane aphids in sorghum.
“As sugarcane aphids continue to migrate farther north, sorghum growers in affected states need an effective tool to combat the devastating impact of this pest,” says Todd Pilcher, product manager, Dow AgroSciences.
Sugarcane aphids first appeared in sorghum in 2013, mostly in Texas and Louisiana, and by 2014 had spread to 300 counties and parishes in 12 states. The insect pest feeds on plant sap, causing the foliage to turn purple and yellow, reducing yield. The aphid also produces a sticky honeydew that collects on leaves and stalks, which reduces harvest efficiency and clogs combines.
Transform offers a short seven-day preharvest interval for forage and a 14-day preharvest interval for grain. Transform also has a short 24-hour re-entry interval and has minimal impact on beneficials. Refer to individual state Section 18 labels for complete application guidelines and limitations.
With reports of sugarcane aphids overwintering on remnant sorghum and Johnsongrass, entomologists anticipate the potentially costly pests will return to sorghum fields again in 2015 as the aphids continue on a northerly migration. Sorghum growers in geographies previously unaffected by sugarcane aphids who would like to learn more about options for controlling this pest can watch the informational video “Gaining the Upper Hand Against Sugarcane Aphids” currently available at www.TransformMySorghum.com.
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