Growers of bulb onions, garlic, leeks and shallots now have the flexibility to use NEMguard DE (garlic extract) for the control of stem, bulb and root knot nematodes, following the granting of an Emergency Authorisation for Minor Use’ (EAMU) for its use on these crops.
NEMguard DE is a fully registered crop protection product, containing active ingredients formulated from garlic (allium sativum). Consequently, this provides growers with an alternative to conventional chemistry, for the control of nematodes commonly found in allium species.
“NEMguard DE has no EU maximum residue level (MRL) set, as it leaves no detectable residues on crops. In addition, it can be used in organic crops, an option which up to now hasn’t been available for such growers,” says independent vegetable consultant, Peter Hingley.
“As it is based on a natural active ingredient, and residues arising from its use are indistinguishable from natural background levels or other sources, it fits in well with the new Sustainable Use Directive (SUD) legislation.”
The EAMU authorises the use of NEMguard DE on outdoor crops bulb onions, garlic, leeks and shallots, with a maximum individual dose of 20kg/ha, with one treatment per crop. The latest time for application is at seed drilling or planting of sets. NEMguard DE is easily applied using conventional granular application equipment.