Minor use label expansion granted for Reflex® herbicide for control of weeds on field cucumbers

J. Chaput, OMAF/MRA, Minor Use Coordinator, Guelph

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion for REFLEX® herbicide (fomesafen) for control and/or suppression of labeled weeds on field cucumbers in eastern Canada and British Columbia. Reflex® Herbicide was already labeled for management of weeds on soybeans, dry beans, lima beans and snap beans in Canada.

This minor use submission was jointly sponsored by the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFC-PMC) and U.S. IR-4 program in 2008 in response to minor use priorities identified by cucumber producers and extension personnel in both countries.

Access to weed management tools is a priority for cucumber producers and the label expansion of Reflex® herbicide will provide producers with a helpful weed management and resistance management tool. The following is provided as a general, abbreviated outline only. Users should consult the complete label before using Reflex® herbicide.

Reflex® herbicide can be applied at a rate of 1.0 L product per ha as a banded application to row middles. Make application just after seeding but prior to crop emergence or just prior to transplanting cucumber plants. The pre-harvest interval for cucumbers is 42 days.

Reflex® herbicide should be used in an integrated weed management program and in rotation with other management strategies. Reflex® herbicide may be harmful to important wildlife habitats and aquatic eco-systems, therefore avoid drift and follow buffer zones. Do not contaminate these habitats when cleaning and rinsing spray equipment or containers. Follow all other precautions and directions for use (phytotoxicity issues, rotational cropping issues and adjuvant recommendations) on the Reflex® herbicide label.

We also wish to acknowledge the personnel of Syngenta Canada Inc. for their support of this registration and the personnel of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for evaluating and approving this important pest management tool.

For copies of the new minor use label contact Kristen Callow, OMAFRA, Harrow (519) 738-1232 or visit http://www.syngenta.com/country/ca/en/Pages/home.aspx.

Note: This article is not intended to be an endorsement or recommendation for this particular product, but rather a notice of registration activity.