EMERGENCY REGISTRATION OF QUADRIS APPROVED

Released on June 22, 2001

Chickpea growers now have a new tool at their disposal to combat the rapid

spread of Ascochyta blight.



The provincial government, working in close co-operation with the

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Association, Syngenta Crop Protection,

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and some members of parliament from

southern Saskatchewan, has recently obtained approval for emergency

registration of Quadris foliar fungicide.



"Chickpea production is one of our province's most outstanding

diversification success stories," Deputy Premier and Agriculture and Food

Minister Clay Serby said. "It is imperative our producers have effective

fungicides like Quadris to control chickpea Ascochyta blight.



"Quadris is an effective alternative fungicide that can be part of an

integrated approach to managing Ascochyta blight in chickpeas, along with

use of clean seed, adapted varieties, crop rotation, and other good

agronomic practices," Serby said. "I would like to thank the Pest

Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) of Health Canada for their quick review

and positive response to our request."



Ascochyta blight is a fungal disease affecting chickpeas, lentils and field

peas, with the species affecting chickpeas being the most aggressive. High

moisture in chickpea-growing areas over the past two years contributed to

the spread of Ascochtya blight. Spores on residue from last year are

infecting this year's crop.



The currently registered product, Bravo 500, is a preventative fungicide

and is effective as long as disease levels remain low. Given the rapid

spread of the disease, fungicides such as Quadris, which treats the disease

once it is established, are needed to prevent yield and quality losses

which could cost the province's chickpea growers up to $75 million.



-30-



For more information, contact:



Doug Billett

Agriculture and Food

Regina

Phone: (306) 787- 8061