For the widest range of copper fungicides coupled with the best advice, resellers should look no further than 7 Worlds Ag.
The team at 7 Worlds Ag and its predecessor companies have been working with copper fungicides for decades, developing a deep understanding of their features and benefits and how to get the best out of them.
However, the key to success relies on growers choosing the right copper formulation for their crop and situation, according to 7 Worlds Ag WA and NT sales manager Mel Turner.
“There are plenty of different copper fungicides out there, which are all registered to do the same thing, but this can cause a lot of confusion,” Mel explains.
“Instead, growers and their advisers can rely on 7 Worlds Ag for advice on which copper product to choose for the best results, according to the crop, the season, the geography and weather conditions.
For example, no grower wants to apply a blue fungicide to a lettuce crop.”
Mel says copper has been used as a fungicide in Australia for the past 150 years, evolving from copper sulphate products to far more advanced formulations using lower levels of the active ingredient in much more effective liquid and granular formulations.
“Today’s compounds are more active, which means we are applying less copper to crops but getting better fungicidal activity,” she says.
“7 Worlds Ag supplies all the copper formulations, and over the years, we have undertaken a lot of research and development into copper fungicides which means we are uniquely placed to recommend the best option for growers.
“As this research and development work continues into one of our oldest compounds, it is reassuring to know copper is still a high performing fungicide which is delivering reliable and trusted results with no resistance issues.”
Key products
Reviewing the key copper products in the 7 Worlds Ag range, Mel points to Bordeaux WG granules, which allow growers to avoid the messy task of mixing their own copper sulphate and lime solution.
Based on a tribasic copper sulphate formulation, the dry flowable granule formulation means minimal dust, small particles for better coverage and a formulation which ‘sticks’ and does not wash off easily in wet conditions.
“Bordeaux WG is a great all-rounder, because it is easy to handle and apply, and comes into its own as a winter clean-up in orchards,” Mel says.
“It has a wide range of registrations in fruit, vegetables and nut crops, but at this time of year, it is widely used in stone fruit and almond orchards to reduce the disease loading for the season ahead,” she adds.
For growers who are set up to apply liquid copper, Tribasic Liquid is now available in a 10L pack, as well as its current 20L, 200L and 800L packs.
Like other copper products in the 7 Worlds Ag range, this formulation features extremely fine particles for superior coverage and low rates of metallic copper, so there’s lower risk to the environment.
Tribasic Liquid is also easy to handle, sticks well and leaves lower visible residue on produce than other formulations.
“In drier regions, growers may find Hydrocop WG a better choice because it is more soluble than other formulations and quite cost-effective,” Mel says.
“This product is the only copper registered for post-flowering application in almonds.
Like all our copper fungicides, Hydrocop WG provides excellent coverage and weatherability.
“Hydrocop and Bordeaux are also suitable for organic crops, as they are certified by NASAA as inputs for organic production.”
Growers looking for a copper formulation which also stands up to wet, humid conditions should consider Coppox WG, a copper oxychloride formulation which has minimal heavy metal impurities, like all 7 Worlds Ag copper products.
“We have done a lot of testing with Coppox to ensure it is a very clean product with impurity levels which are way below the limits recommended by the World Health Organisation,” Mel says.
“In fact, all our copper fungicides are made with scrap copper and pure grade raw copper which is tested extensively before it is formulated.
“Growers also appreciate that the wettable granular formulation of Coppox means it flows well, has minimal dust and is easy to use,” she says.
In tree crops like avocados, citrus and mangoes, Ag Copp 750 WG has been a popular choice for years, because it is a 75 per cent active cupric oxide formulation.
This feature, coupled with its solubility characteristics, means Ag Copp is well suited to wetter regions that are subject to heavy dew, showery rain, mist and overhead irrigation where fungal diseases thrive.
“This is a red copper formulation that growers prefer if there’s any residue left on their fruit and one drum goes a long way,” Mel says.
“With a suite of copper formulations on offer coupled with decades of R & D, we are uniquely positioned to supply the best copper solution for Australian growers.”
