Mustang Max insecticide from FMC Corporation has received an expanded label in its approval to be used as a foliar insecticide in sunflowers. It can be used to control a variety of key sunflower pests - including the seed weevil.
The product also is labeled for control of stem weevils, sunflower beetles, sunflower moths, cutworms, beet armyworms, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, and sunflower maggots.
In trials comparing the effectiveness of Mustang Max versus competitive products in controlling sunflower head month, the product applied at a rate of 4 ounces per acre provide more than 30% better control of the pest. The labeled use rate for Mustang Max ranges from 2.4 to 4.3 ounces per acre, with the most commonly used rate being 3.2 ounces per acre.
"Mustang Max provides maximum performance for foliar control of tough pests, such as head moths, seed weevils and cutworms in sunflowers," says Adam Prestegord, FMC product manager, Philadelphia, Pa. "It provides sunflower growers with a new and effective crop protection option."
The National Sunflower Association reports that, according to a recent industry survey, 666,000 more acres of sunflowers will need to be planted in 2007 versus 2006 to meet domestic and export market demand. Oil-type sunflowers need to increase from 1,686,000 to 2,300,000 acres, and confection sunflower acres need to increase by an additional 52,000 acres to reach 350,000 acres in 2007.
More market growth is anticipated in 2008, with total sunflower acres needing to reach 2,800,000 to satisfy supply needs.