Bulletin 4867
Replaces Bulletin 4828
September 2015
ISSN No. 1833–7236
2015/16
Viticulture spray guide – wine grapes and table grapes
Supporting your success
Acknowledgements
The information contained in this Bulletin is from a collaborative effort from DepartmentofAgricultureandFood, WesternAustralia (DAFWA) staff and others from outside of the department. The compilation and editing of this Bulletin was undertaken by Richard Fennessy.
Authors
Chris Sharpe - Pesticide safety
Anita James- Chemical residues
Graeme Passmore (drumMUSTER) - drumMUSTER and ChemClear
Bill Trend -Safety for bees
Alastair James (CropLife Australia)- Resistance management
Andrew Taylor- Diseases
Stewart Learmonth and Helen Collie- Insects, mites and molluscs
George Morris- Herbicides
Colin Gordon- Plant Growth Regulators
Winetitles, Dr Peter Dry, Dr Bryan Coombeare gratefully acknowledged for granting permission to use the ‘Modified E-L system for identifying major and intermediate grapevine growth stages from page 153 of Viticulture: Volume 1 – Resources – 2nd edition’, 2004, PR Dry and BG Coombe (eds).
This material may be reprinted provided that the article and the source and author(s) are acknowledged. Published by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983.
Disclaimer
The ChiefExecutiveOfficerofthe DepartmentofAgricultureandFood, Western AustraliaandtheStateof Western Australiaacceptnoliability whatsoeverbyreasonofnegligenceorotherwisearisingfromtheuseor release of this informationor any part of it.
Inrelyingonorusingthisdocument oranyadviceorinformationexpressly orimpliedly contained withinit,youacceptall risksandresponsibilityforloss,injury,damages,costsandother consequencesofany kind whatsoeverresultingdirectly orindirectly toyouoranyotherpersonfrom yourdoing so.Itisforyoutoobtainyour own adviceand conductyourowninvestigationsand assessmentsof any proposals that you may be considering in lightof your owncircumstances.
Thismaterial hasbeen writtenfor WesternAustralianconditions.Itsavailabilitydoesnot imply suitabilityto other areas, andany interpretation is theresponsibilityof the user.
Theproducttrade namesinthispublicationaresuppliedontheunderstanding thatnopreference betweenequivalentproductsisintendedandthat theinclusionofaproductdoesnot imply endorsementbytheDepartment ofAgriculture andFood,WesternAustralia,overanyother equivalent product from another manufacturer.Any omission of a trade name is unintentional.
Alwaysreadthe label — Usersofagricultural (orveterinary) chemicalproductsmustalways readthelabelandanypermitbeforeusingtheproduct,andstrictlycomplywiththedirectionson thelabeland conditionsof anypermit.Usersarenotabsolvedfromcompliancewiththedirections onthelabel ortheconditionsofthepermitbyreasonofanystatementmade ornotmadeinthis publication.
Partsofthechemicaluse patternquotedinthispublicationareapprovedunderpermit(s)issued by theAustralian Pesticides andVeterinary MedicinesAuthorityandinforceatthe timethepublication wasprepared.Persons wishingto use a chemicalinthe mannerapproved underpermitshould obtain acopyoftherelevantpermitfromtheAustralianPesticidesand VeterinaryMedicines Authorityand must readallthedetails, conditionsandlimitationsrelevanttothatpermit,andmust comply with the details, conditions and limitations prior to use.
Information in this publication was current at the time ofpreparation.
© Western Australian Agriculture Authority 2015
Bulletin 4867
Replaces Bulletin 4828
September 2015
ISSN No. 1833–7236
2015/16
Viticulture spray guide – wine grapes and table grapes
Contents
Pesticide safety
Regulations and acts relating to use of pesticides
Organochlorine and other chemical residues
drumMUSTER and ChemClear®
Withholding periods and maximum residue limits (MRLs)
Chemical labels, permits and material safety data sheets
Safety for bees
Pesticide application
Pesticide resistance
Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture
HortGuardTM
Spray options
Diseases
Insects, mites and molluscs
Herbicides
Plant growth regulators (PGR’s)
Example of a spray diary
Grape pest monitoring and treatment calendar
Diseases
Pests
Modified E-L system for grapevine growth stages
Pesticide safety
Pesticide misuse can be harmful to both human and environmental health and can also impact trading relations with international markets. Regulatory standards are necessary to ensure that pesticides are used appropriately within our communities.
The Department of Health publishes ‘A guide to the use of pesticides in Western Australia’ which provides a summary of those regulations and best practices with which all users of pesticides in Western Australia must comply.
Regulations and acts relating to use of pesticides
Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
- regulates some aspects of the use of pesticides and veterinary medicines in agriculture, including the management of residue affected land and produce
- provides information on the control of pests and diseases in animals and plants
- regulates the control of declared plants and animals in agricultural and pastoral lands.
Legislation:
Agriculture and Related Resources (Spraying Restrictions) Regulations1979
Aerial Spraying Control Act 1966 (and Regulations)
Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (Agriculture Standards) Regulations 2013
Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007
Department of Health
- regulates the safe use of pesticides through the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011, where it affects human health
- regulates the supply and use of poisons through the Poisons Act 1964
- licenses pest management technicians and registered businesses
- provides some training and guidelines for the pest management industry
- provides information and advice on public health control programs
- provides toxicological advice on the human health aspects of pesticides.
Legislation:
Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011
Health Act 1911
Poisons Regulations 1965
Poisons Act 1964
Department of Health contacts:
Environmental Health Directorate
Tel: +61 (0)8 9388 4999
Fax:+61 (0)8 9388 4902
Email:
Website:health.wa.gov.au
Department of Environment Regulation
- regulates waste management sites, contaminated sites, air and water quality, illegal discharge and pollution, under the environmental protection act 1986
- regulates pesticide manufacturing facilities
- regulates the transport of liquid chemical wastes including pesticide wastes
- investigates and may take enforcement action if there is evidence of an inappropriate pesticide application which has caused environmental harm or there has been a pesticide spill which has or may cause pollution or environmental harm
- provides guidance on chemical storage and disposal.
Legislation:
Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004
Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004
Environmental Protection Act 1986
Environmental Protection Regulations 1987
Swan River Trust Act 1988
Department of Environment Regulation contacts:
Head Office
Tel: +61 (0)8 6467 5000
Fax: +61 (0)8 6467 5562
Email:
Website: der.wa.gov.au
Department of Water
- protects existing and future public drinking water source areas (PDWSAS) these include underground water pollution control areas, water reserves and catchment areas
- provides guidance on land use compatibility in PDWSAS
- provides guidance on chemical storage, handling and disposal in PDWSAs.
Legislation:
Metropolitan Water Supply Sewerage and Drainage Act 1909
Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914
Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947
Department of Water contacts:
Head Office
Tel: +61 (0)8 6364 7600
Fax:+61 (0)8 6364 7601
Email:
Website:water.wa.gov.au
Department of Commerce (WorkSafe Division)
- regulates the workplace to ensure the safety and health of people at work
- responds to requests to investigate possible breaches of the legislation
- provides information to employers and employees on occupational safety
matters - promotes awareness of occupational safety matters to the community.
Legislation:
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996
WorkSafe contacts:
Head Office
Tel:1300 30 78 77
Email:
Website:commerce.wa.gov.au/worksafe
Department of Mines and Petroleum
- regulates the storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods (including pesticides) to minimise the risk to people property and the environment
- responds to dangerous goods incidents and emergencies
- investigates possible breaches of the legislation
- contributes to the development and implementation of national dangerous goods safety policy and legislation
- provides information and promotes awareness of dangerous goods safety matters to industry, government and the community.
Legislation:
Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004
Dangerous Goods Safety Regulations 2007
Department of Mines and Petroleum contacts:
Head Office
Tel:+61 (0)8 9358 8001
Fax:+61 (0)8 9358 8000
Email:
Website: dmp.wa.gov.au
Chemistry Centre Western Australia
- provides chemical analytical support to the government, industry, academia
and the community - conducts research into chemical analytical methods
- provides advice on the chemistry of pesticides and other chemicals, and how
they behave in soil, water, air and other substrates - assists other government agencies with the management of chemical
spillages, residues in foods and environmental contamination.
ChemCentre contacts:
Head Office
Tel: +61 (0)8 9422 9800
Fax:+61 (0)8 9422 9801
Email:
Website:chemcentre.wa.gov.au
Organochlorine and other chemical residues
Orchards and old orchard sites are often contaminated with organochlorine pesticides such as dieldrin, heptachlor and DDT, which slowly break down in the soil. There is a danger that grazing animals, particularly cattle and poultry, will become contaminated with these pesticides and have meat and/or eggs high in residues. Areas of old orchard that have been planted to grapes and may be grazed by cattle, sheep or poultry can be soil tested to determine if there is a contamination risk from grazing these areas.
In addition to the risk posed by organochlorines, there may also be risks of pesticide residues in grazing animals from other pesticides that have been used in the past or are being used for pest control in the vineyard. Some examples of pesticide risk include poultry feeding on contaminated adult garden weevils or on baits used to manage European earwig or wingless grasshoppers.
Details concerning chickens, eggs and organochlorines; and sheep and organochlorine residues can be found on the DAFWA website.
Further information or queries on pesticide residue risks to grazing animals can be made to AnitaJames at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Bunbury on (08) 9780 6100.
drumMUSTER and ChemClear®
drumMUSTER and ChemClear® are important industry stewardship programs run by Agsafe as part of the Industry Waste Reduction Scheme (IWRS).
Agsafe works with governments, farmer groups, communities, local government and regulatory authorities involved in the disposal of agvet chemicals and containers to further develop and expand the success of the twoprograms.
IWRS is a joint venture of CropLife Australia, Animal Medicines Australia, Veterinary Manufacturers and Distributors Association, National Farmers’ Federation and the Australian Local Government Association.
drumMUSTER is the national program for the collection and recycling of empty, clean, non-returnable metal and plastic farm chemical containers.
Chemical users throughout Australia are encouraged to deliver their drums to one of 790 drumMUSTER collection sites on designated collection days.
Trained inspectors receive and examine each drum onsite to ensure that every container delivered is free of chemical residue and therefore safe to transport and recycle. Metal drums should be punctured from the top through the bottom and lids removed from all containers.
Each container delivered to drumMUSTER is shredded or granulated and transformed into new products including road signs, irrigation piping, plant stakes, plastic cable covers and outdoor furniture.
The drumMUSTER program offers many benefits:
- It is an environmentally responsible solution for chemical users to dispose of their empty containers.
- Helps property owners keep their farms free of potential contamination.
- Encourages good farming practice.
- Provides documentation for chemical users to meet the requirements of quality assurance programs.
- Supports the preservation of the environment.
ChemClear® is the national program for collection and disposal of unwanted or unknown chemicals. The program’s objective is to minimise the accumulation of unwanted chemicals on farms which may create potential risks to the environment, public health and trade.
Two categories of agvet chemicals are collected by ChemClear®:
- Group 1 chemicals are currently registered products manufactured by participating companies signed to the Industry Waste Reduction Agreement. These products are collected free of charge.
- Group 2 chemicals are products manufactured by non-participating companies, deregistered, unknown, mixed or out-of-date products. A fee for collection applies.
The service is easy to use:
Waste holders are required to take an inventory of their unwanted chemicals and register them for collection by phoning a toll-free number or completing an online form (details below).
Once the booking is lodged and confirmed, waste holders continue to store their products until a collection in their area is scheduled.
Collections are state-based and routes are planned when registered bookings reach a quantity threshold.
Collections are undertaken in the registered waste holder’s shire council area.
Prior to a collection, registered waste holders are contacted and advised of the retrieval location and date. An appointment time is also negotiated.
Waste holders are required to transport their chemicals to their nominated collection site and meet the ChemClear® retrieval vehicle.
For more information about the programs contact:
drumMUSTER
GPO Box 816
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel:+61 (0)2 6230 6712
Fax:+61 (0)2 6230 6713
Email:
Website:drummuster.com.au
ChemClear®
GPO Box 816
Canberra City ACT 2601
Tel:+61 (0)2 6230 4799
Fax:+61 (0)2 6230 6710
Free call:1800 008 182
Email:
Website:chemclear.com.au
Withholding periods and maximum residue limits (MRLs)
Use of agricultural chemicals may leave residues on fruit. The level of residue that remains at harvest depends on the chemical, the formulation, application rate, method of application, time and number of treatments, use of adjuvants, the interval since the last application and climatic conditions.
Limits for these residues are determined in various countries by health authorities. These limits are called Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and are set to ensure correct use of pesticides (good agricultural practice) and to prevent consumers from taking in excessive residues. Grape growers are responsible to ensure that grapes they sell do not exceed MRLs for the chemicals they apply.
Label rates for horticultural chemicals have been calculated so that, provided the label rate is followed and withholding periods observed, Australian MRLs are not exceeded. The withholding period for a particular pesticide is the minimum time between when the crop is last sprayed and when it is picked. This withholding period may vary for different crops.
A withholding period of seven days means that the grower must wait for seven days between the last application of the pesticide and before the crop is picked. Growers applying chemicals at the correct rate and observing the withholding period before harvest should produce fruit with residues lower than the MRL for Australia.
Growers involved in production of grapes or wine for export should be aware that other countries may have different or no MRLs for chemicals used in Australia. If the importing country has a lower MRL than the Australian MRL, longer withholding periods or changed rates of application may be necessary. If the importing country has no MRL set for a chemical used in Australia, that chemical should not be applied to the crop as any detectable residue on the fruit will be unacceptable.
Growers exporting grapes or wine should contact their exporters, winery or the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) before spraying to ensure that MRLs in the export markets are not exceeded. Refer to the AWRI webpage on MRLs for further information.
Chemical labels, permits and material safety data sheets
Chemical labels — A chemical label is a legally binding document. To use a product other than in the manner specified on the label is permitted only in situations described as ‘low risk use’.
Permits — In special cases a product may be used in a manner different to that specified on the label by obtaining a ‘permit’ from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Various types of permits are available:
- Permit to export unapproved active constituent or unregistered product.
- Permit where a previous assessment remains valid (renewal).
- Permit for minor use.
- Permit for emergency use.
- Permit for research or other miscellaneous permit.
In the section on spray options for the various commodity groups, some chemicals listed for use in WA vineyards are under an APVMA permit for minor use. For such chemicals, the permit number and expiry date are listed in the comments column. Copies of permits for minor use are available from the website apvma.gov.au.
For enquiries on a permit for minor use contact:
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
PO Box E240 Kingston ACT 2604
Tel: +61 (0)2 6210 4700
Email:
Website:apvma.gov.au
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Are available for each chemical to supplement the information provided on the label. They are not part of, nor a substitute for, the chemical label. Any farm chemical handled or stored on a property must have an up-to-date MSDS available on the premises in a known location.
The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 require that an MSDS be supplied at the first sale of a hazardous chemical and thereafter upon request. The MSDS of a chemical must be shown to any persons employed on that property, prior to using the product.
These sheets are available from chemical company websites. One website that stores a large number is MSDS Australia at msds.com.au.
Regulation change – low risk new pesticide uses
As published in the WA Government Gazette, 1 February 2011 No. 14, The Health Department of WA has modified the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 1956 to provide a more flexible approach for agricultural pesticide use, particularly in relation to low risk uses.
These amendments relate to Regulation 87 of the new regulations that allow the following practices, in agricultural situations only:
- Use of a pesticide for an unspecified pest on a registered crop.
- Use of a pesticide at a lower frequency than that shown on the label.
- Use of a pesticide at a lower rate of application than that shown on the label.
- Use of a pesticide for a crop/pest combination registered in another jurisdiction, provided the pesticide is registered for use in Western Australia and the label does not prohibit the use in Western Australia.
For any queries on this contact:
Chris Sharpe, Chemical Coordinator
Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
Locked Bag 4 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983
Tel:+61 (0)8 9368 3815
Mob:+61 (0)427 193 838
Fax:+61 (0)8 9474 2408
Email:
Safety for bees
Bees actively foraging on flowers either in the crop or on ground covers may be adversely affected by insecticide applications. The time of application and insecticide used will influence the level of damage. Some insecticides have very low toxicity to bees and are able to be applied even when the bees are foraging. Other short residual insecticides will be safe to bees if applied in the evening or at night when the bees are not foraging. More persistent insecticides may remain toxic to bees well after application.