Technical guide Nufarm A better way to beat botrytis. www.nufarm.com.au
How does Filan work? The Filan mode of Action is unique in that Group G compounds have not yet been used as foliar application products in Australia. Anilide fungicides currently marketed in Australia are used as seed treatments. Filan works inside the mitochondria and stops fungi from producing the energy that they need to carry on basic functions in life like obtaining food, growing and reproducing. Unable to conduct these critical functions, the fungus dies. Molecular, Physical and chemical properties Molecular Characteristics Common name: BOSCALID Brand name: Filan Chemical class: Anilide CAS number: 188425-85-6 Chemical name (IUPAC): 2-Chloro-N- (4 -chlorobiphenyl-2-yl) -nicotinamide Molecular formula: C18H12CI2N2O Molecular weight: 343.2 Boscalid structure The way Filan prevents energy production is by binding to an enzyme in the electron transport chain of the fungal mitochondria. This enzyme is called Complex II (succinate ubiquinone reductase) and is depicted in the diagram of a mitochondria in Figure 2. When the boscalid molecule attaches to the Complex II enzyme, it cannot function normally to drive the other processes of fungal metabolism that it regulates. You could say that the "gears become locked". One Mode of Action - Two mechanisms of Fungal Inhibition There are actually two critical roles that Complex II plays within the fungal metabolic system and exposure to Filan disrupts both of them. In addition to its role to regulate electron transport and energy production, Complex II also mediates the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle production of building blocks for amino acids and lipids (See Figure 2). Without these key building blocks from the TCA cycle, fungi cannot make other essential cell components like proteins and membranes that are required for life. Fig 1. Physical and Chemical Characteristics Physical State and Appearance 20ºC (68ºF): white crystals Melting Point: (289-291ºF) Vapor Pressure: 7x10.7 Pa at 20ºC (68ºF) Partition Coefficient n-octanol / water: log Pow: 2.96 at ph 7 Solubility in water: 4.6 mg/litre at 20ºC (68ºF) Figure 2. Boscalid mode of action shown as binding to Complex ll in the mitochondrial transport system. This results in the disruption of energy production and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle which forms cellular building blocks needed for proteins and membranes. Fig 2.
Movement In Plants and Fungal Activity Uptake and Redistribution in the Plant Through its ability to move systemically in plants, boscalid is able to protect those plant parts that were not exposed to the original spray application. This results in higher levels of disease control even when spray application coverage is less than optimal. When boscalid is applied to the leaf surface part of it remains bound to that leaf surface to provide protection but part of the molecules are also taken into the leaf where they are then redistributed. This feature is the result of the combined intermediate values the boscalid molecule has for lipophilicity and water solubility. Lipophilicity is what causes some of the Filan to be retained in the waxy cuticle on the outer surface of the leaf while the moderate solubility allows the product to move in the vascular system and reach untreated parts of the plant. Retention in the outer surface leaf wax (lipophilicity) also contributes to the excellent rainfastness exhibited by Filan. When applied to the leaf, some of the boscalid moves to the surface opposite the point of application. This type of movement is called translaminar systemicity and is demostrated in (Figure 3). Additionally, Filan enters the transpiration stream of the plant where it is then carried outward to the margins and tips of the leaves. This type of movement is called acropetal systemicity and is illustrated in Figures 4-6. Of particular interest is Figure 5 that shows that within 24 hours significant quantities of Filan have been moved from the treated area and are now providing protection at the leaf margins. It is important to note that while boscalid does move toward the margins of treated leaves, it is not transported in the xylem and therefore cannot move from a treated leaf into an untreated leaf nor can it move systemically down the plant. Figure 3. Translaminar activity of boscalid shown by control of early blight (Alternaria solani) on the top leaf surface of tomatoes when boscalid was applied at 250 ppm to the lower leaf surface 24 hours prior to inoculation. Figure 4. Systematic movement of radio labelled 14 C-boscalid in cucumber leaves is shown by rapid movement from the circular area of application of the leaf margin. Figure 5. Systematic movement of radio labelled 14 C-boscalid in grape leaves is shown by rapid movement from the circular area of application of the leaf margin. Figure 6. Distribution of boscalid in cucumber leaves and resulting systemic disease control of powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fulignea) (1 day protective, 125 ppm; 9 days after inoculation). Fig 3. Fig 4. Fig 5. Fig 6.
Highly Rainfast and Low Vaporisation Loss Filan exhibits extremely favorable rainfastness characteristics once taken up by the plant. Multiple studies show that 24 hours after treatment with Filan, even exposures to extremes such as 1.2 inches of rain in a single 30 minute period did not compromise disease control performance. Due to its relatively modest vapor pressure characteristic, Filan exhibits minimal redistribution or losses from the leaf surface due to volatilisation Filan & Cabrio Perfect Partners The activity profile for Filan makes it the perfect complementation partner for use with Cabrio, the most recent strobilurin introduction from BASF, marketed in Australia by Nufarm. The combination of Filan with Cabrio offers growers outstanding protection against the "big three" major Australian grape diseases with one pass - Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew and Botrytis. Crop Safety Throughout the global development effort, excellent crop safety has been observed from Filan when used at anticipated commercial application rates and timings. Low mammalian toxicity Low toxicity of Filan to mammals is a key attribute. Its extreme effectiveness in controlling plant diseases caused by fungi is a stark contrast to its favorable mammalian toxicology profile. This key advantage is driven by differences in bioavailability between fungi and mammals. Mammalian Toxicology Acute oral Rat LD 50>5000 mg/kg Acute dermal Rat LD 50>2000 mg/kg Acute inhalation Rat LD 50>6.7 mg/l Eye, skin irritation Rabbit non irritating Sensitation Guinea pig not sensitising Mutagenicity 5 tests no mutagenic potential Teratogenicity Rat, rabbit no teratogenic potential Chronic Toxicity/ Dog, rat Carcinogenicity mouse no carcinogenic potential Reproduction Rat no adverse effects Metabolism Rat rapid absorption and elimination No impact on flora or fauna Filan is an ideal tool for Integrated Pest Management systems because it presents low risk to beneficial organisms in the agricultural ecosystem. This is based on laboratory and field studies of organisms such as predatory mites. Also, it is found to be non-toxic to bees.
Soil-Dwelling non target organisms Laboratory and numerous long-term field studies emphasise that Filan will not cause unacceptable risk to organisms such as earthworms, springtails, micro-organisms or to the function of soil ecosystems. Ecological Toxicology Birds: Bobwhite quail LD50>2000 mg/kg Earthworms: non-toxic LC50 (14d)>1000 mg/kg Non target arthropods (6 species) practicality non-toxic Bees: practicality non-toxic Aquatic organisms moderately Rainbow Trout; LD50 2.7 mg/l toxic Daphnia; LD50 5.3 mg/l Algae; LD50 3.8 mg/l Non-target plants Filan will not negatively affect non-target plants. No impact on natural resources Filan degrades in natural systems of water and sediment through a process of photoinduced biological reactions and adsorption to the sediment. In the soil, Filan exhibits moderate binding to the soil particles such that movement downward in the soil profile or contamination of groundwater is not expected. Mineralisation and the moderately rapid biological degradation of the active ingredient in the soil also contributes to the lack of unacceptable impact on the environment by this compound. Environmental Fate Hydrolysis in water: stable at ph 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 (temp 25-120ºC) Photolysis in water: stable moderately bound Mobility in soil: not likely to move down soil profile Soil dissapation: DT50 between 1-365 days Aerobic aquatic half-life: degrades quickly DT50 = 3-9 days www.nufarm.com.au
Resistance Management Strategy FILAN should be applied as part of a Botrytis bunch rot control program. 1. If three or fewer bunch rot sprays are applied in a season use only one application of FILAN per season. 2. If four or more bunch rot sprays are applied in a season use no more than two applications of FILAN. 3. Do not apply consecutive sprays of FILAN (including from the end of one season to the next). 4. Application of FILAN at capfall is the best strategy to delay the onset of resistant strains of Botrytis bunch rot as this allows use before high levels of infection can develop and also allows alternative chemistry to be used in following sprays for bunch rot control. Filan Fungicide is a member of the oxathin group of fungicides. For fungicide resistance management, Filan fungicide is a Group G fungicide. GROUP G FUNGICIDE DIRECTIONS FOR USE CROP Grapevines DISEASE Bunch rot (Botrytis cinerea) RATE CRITICAL COMMENTS Dilute spray Apply as part of a Botrytis bunch rot program: 120 g/100 L In a 3 spray program, apply only 1 spray of FILAN. water In a 4 spray program, apply only 2 sprays of FILAN. Do NOT apply consecutive sprays of FILAN. Concentrate spray Refer to the Application section. The ideal timing for the first spray is 5% capfall. Applications can also be made at 80% capfall, pre-bunch closure, veraison or 4 weeks prior to harvest. Apply by dilute or concentrate spraying equipment. Apply the same total amount of product to the target crop whether applying this product by dilute or concentrate spraying methods. Do NOT use in equipment that requires rates greater than 600 g/100 L (5X concentration). Do not apply in volumes less than 250 L/ha. Nufarm Australia Limited A.C.N 004 377 780 Head Office: 103-105 Pipe Road LAVERTON NORTH VIC 3026 Telephone: (03) 9282 1000 Facsimile: (03) 9282 1001 www.nufarm.com.au REGIONAL OFFICES NORTHERN Queensland Telephone: (07) 3893 8777 New South Wales Telephone: (02) 6884 8180 SOUTHERN Victoria/Tasmania Telephone: (03) 9282 1238 South Australia Telephone: (08) 8444 6300 WESTERN Western Australia Telephone: (08) 9411 4000 This publication is a guide only and no substitute for professional or expert advice. The product label should be consulted before use of any of the products referred to in this publication. Nufarm Australia Limited shall not be liable for any results, loss, or damage whatsoever, whether consequential or otherwise through the use or application of products and/or materials referred to herein. = Registered trademarks of BASF