TOBACCO

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE

on Tobacco

MODE OF ACTION

M-Pede insecticide-miticide is a fast acting, contact product that effectively controls soft-bodied pests like aphids, whiteflies and mites by disrupting their outer cuticle causing death. The M-Pede formulation is based on potassium salts of naturally derived fatty acids which are low in acute toxicity to applicators and nontarget beneficial insects. M-Pede can be applied up to harvest, and workers may reenter fields as soon as sprays have dried.

                             RATE OF M-PEDE                                       
                                                                                  
 CROP          PEST          APPLIED ALONE              TANK MIX COMBINATION      
 Tobacco      Insects and   Mix one part product per   Mix one part product per   
              Mites: For    50 parts water or 2 1/2    100 parts water with       
              control of    oz. product per gallon of  companion insecticide.     
              aphids,       water.                                                
              spider mites                                                        
              and thrips.                                                         

STEPS FOR SUCCESSFUL RESULTS

1. Begin scouting tobacco within one week of transplanting and continue to monitor fields weekly.

2. Scout 8 to 10 locations, distributed throughout the field. Carefully check five plants at each location. Divide large fields into smaller blocks, then scout 8 to 10 locations per block.

3. Check the undersides of the leaves of the top one third of the plants. Count the number of plants with 50 or more aphids on any leaf. Also check for the presence of beneficial insects like ladybird beetles.

4. Treat with M-Pede plus a companion insecticide when 10 percent or more of the plants have 50 or more aphids.

5. Make applications as early in the morning as possible or at night when cool temperatures promote slower drying of the spray solution and insects are less mobile, so they are more easily contacted by sprays.

6. Rescout the field or blocks within 4 to 5 days after application and then weekly thereafter.

7. Repeat applications as necessary, but do not make more than three sequential applications within a two-week period.

USE GUIDELINES

Mixing: Condition water prior to adding M-Pede if total water hardness exceeds 300 ppm (17.5 grains). Use a conditioning agent such as RNA's Tri-ad®, Miller Chemical's Spray-Aide, Helena's Blendex® or Latron AG-44M (Triton AG-44M) by Rohm and Haas. To determine if a compatibility agent is required, have water hardness tested or conduct a jar test (see TIP #1003: "Hard Water Testing"). Do not use alkaline based conditioning agents such as those containing EDTA.

To prepare your spray solution: Add the required amount of M-Pede to the water. M-Pede mixes readily with water, so vigorous agitation is not required. Use a defoaming agent to control excessive foaming if necessary.

Coverage: Thoroughly cover the upper and lower leaf surfaces of infested plants. M-Pede must come into contact with the pest to be effective. Use a nozzle type and positioning that provides good coverage. For example, early in the season use 3 hollow cone nozzles directed at the bud area. As the plant increases in size and after topping, drop nozzles directed upward toward the underleaf surface will improve coverage and increase control. Larger plants may require higher water volumes for complete coverage.

TANK MIXING

M-Pede may be tank mixed with other registered insecticides to obtain enhanced or residual control. Use one gallon of M-Pede in 100 gallons of water in tank mix with a companion insecticide. Apply the tank mix in a minimum of 25 gallons of water per acre. Always read the labels of each pesticide used in a tank mixture and adhere to the most restrictive label. Always do a jar test for compatibility before making large scale applications.

RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

Do not lower the pH of M-Pede spray solutions below 8.0.

Use immediately once mixed.

Do not mix M-Pede with foliar nutrients or pesticides containing metallic ions such as zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium and manganese due to physical incompatibility and potential phytotoxicity.

Do not mix M-Pede into water if total hardness (mineral content) exceeds 300 ppm (17.5 grains). When using hard water with M-Pede use a compatibility agent prior to the addition of M-Pede. (See Mycogen TIP sheet #1003: "Hard Water Testing")

Do not use M-Pede with a spreader sticker or surfactant.

Always read and carefully follow all product labels.

M-Pede is a trademark of Mycogen Corporation. M-Pede EPA Reg. No. 53219-6. JJ#2033 4/92