EMERGENCY AUTHORISATION GRANTED

An Emergency Authorisation (EA) for the use of the Syngenta insecticide Acelepryn to target chafer grubs has been granted for the 2022 season.

The new EA now includes first-class cricket outfields, as well as specific areas of golf courses, racecourses and airfields.  

This season, the chafer grub authorisation permits use of Acelepryn up to 28 August 2022 – to cover key periods of adult chafer egg laying and target early larval activity in the soil.

Chafer grubs cause damage to turf through extensive feeding on roots, which can be severe in localised patches. Surface stability where grubs have chewed through turf roots is of hugely significant concern for racecourses. 

Furthermore, say Syngenta, extreme damage can occur in all turf surfaces when badgers, birds and other foragers root through turf in search of the grubs. The EA permits application in situations where there is an acknowledged instance of economic damage, or risk of bird strike on airfields, and where the product has been recommended by a BASIS qualified agronomist.

Subject to specific conditions, areas permitted for Acelepryn use cover affected areas of golf course greens, tees and fairways, horse racecourses and gallops, airfields and first-class cricket outfields under exceptional circumstances. The EA was applied for and held by ICL.

Acelepryn users will be required to submit online stewardship records of areas treated, linked from the ICL website. 

“Over recent seasons the damage by soil pests has been of increasing concern,” reported Syngenta technical manager, Sean Loakes. “Obtaining this EA enables turf managers to develop an integrated turf management programme to tackle the severe effects of these pests.” 

Further trials are underway on golf courses and fine turf surfaces to refine the application timing, along with aeration practices and the potential to use Acelepryn in conjunction with effectively targeted nematode treatments.   

Sean advocates the best results have been achieved with applications at the peak flight of egg laying adults, for the product to be in the soil zone to target early feeding larvae. “The online Pest Tracker reporting system provides a picture of pest activity across the UK and Ireland, to better aid application timing.

“Keep surfaces irrigated where possible prior to application, to attract pest larvae to towards the surface,” he advised. “It’s important to ensure the soil profile is not hydrophobic at the time of application. Apply at higher water volumes, above 600 l/ha, using the white O8 XC Nozzle to help the spray reach the soil surface.”     

A further EA has also been submitted by ICL on behalf of the turf industry for the treatment of leatherjacket infestations later in the season. The regulatory system only permits a 120-day use period - which requires a separate submission for leatherjackets, to target later application at peak pest timing.

An online turf pest ID guide, to aid the identification of adult stages of key soil pests and target application timing, is now available on the Syngenta Turf website.