Astun SC Ornamental Fungicide

DIRECTIONS FOR USE 

It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.

DO NOT apply this product in a way that will contact workers or other persons, either directly or through drift. Only protected handlers may be in the area during application. For any requirements specific to your State or Tribe, consult the agency responsible for pesticide regulation.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE USE DIRECTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS ON THIS LABEL MAY RESULT IN PLANT INJURY OR POOR DISEASE CONTROL.

ASTUN is a flowable suspension concentrate for control of diseases on ornamental plants. Intended for use only by professional applicators.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

ASTUN is an excellent disease control agent when used according to label directions. Although ASTUN has preventative, systemic and curative activity, it should be applied as a protectant fungicide before visible symptoms of the disease occur.

ASTUN is recommended for use as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, which may include the use of disease-resistant crop varieties, cultural practices, biological disease control agents, pest scouting and disease forecasting systems aimed at preventing economic pest damage. Practices known to reduce disease development should be followed. Consult your state cooperative extension service or local agricultural authorities for additional IPM strategies established in your area. ASTUN may be used in State Agricultural Extension advisory (disease forecasting) programs that recommend application timing based upon environmental factors that favor disease development.

RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT 

Some plant pathogens are known to develop resistance to products used repeatedly for disease control. ASTUN’s mode/ target site of action is complex II; succinate-dehydrogenase, FRAC Group 7. A disease management program that includes alternation or tank mixes between ASTUN and other labeled fungicides that have a different mode of action and/or control pathogens not controlled with ASTUN is essential to prevent disease resistant pathogens populations from developing. ASTUN should not be utilized continuously nor tank mixed with fungicides that have shown to have developed fungal resistance to the target disease.

Since pathogens differ in their potential to develop resistance to fungicides, follow the directions outlined in the “Directions For Use” section of this label for specific resistance management strategies. Consult with your Federal or State Cooperative Extension Service representatives for guidance on the proper use of ASTUN in programs that seek to minimize the occurrence of disease resistance. ASTUN is not cross-resistant with other classes of fungicides that have different modes of action.

MIXING AND SPRAYING

For maximum efficacy, ASTUN should be applied prior to or in the very early stages of disease development. ASTUN must be applied at the label rates and timings listed in the Directions for Use section.

Slowly invert container several times to assure uniform mixture of the formulation before adding this product to the spray tank. The required amount of ASTUN should be added slowly into the spray tank during filling. With concentrate sprays, pre-mix the required amount of ASTUN in a clean container and add to the spray tank as it is being filled. Keep agitator running when filling spray tank and during spray operations. DO NOT allow spray mixture to stand overnight or for prolonged periods. Prepare only the amount of spray required for immediate use. Spraying equipment should be thoroughly cleaned immediately after the application.

Under conditions favorable for disease development, the highest rate specified and the shortest application interval should be used.

ASTUN may be applied with all types of spray equipment normally used for ground applications on ornamental plants.

TANK MIX COMPATIBILITY

ASTUN is physically compatible (no nozzle or screen blockage) with many products labeled for control of diseases and insects on ornamental plants. Read and follow all manufacturers label precautions and restrictions for the tank mix companion product. Users must follow the most restrictive directions for use and precautionary statements of each product in the tank mixture. It is the applicator’s responsibility to ensure that the companion product is EPA approved for use on the intended site. ASTUN is generally compatible with other insecticides, fungicides, adjuvants, fertilizers, and micronutrient products provided sufficient free water is available for dispersion of all the tank mix products. Under some conditions, the use of adjuvants and/or surfactants at the rate of 0.025% to 0.1% of the spray tank volume may improve the performance of ASTUN. However, the physical compatibility of ASTUN with tank mix partners must be evaluated before use. Conduct a jar test with intended tank-mix pesticides prior to the preparation of large volumes. Use the following procedure: 1) Pour the recommended proportions of the products into a suitable container of water; 2) Mix thoroughly and; 3) Allow standing for 5 minutes. If the combination remains mixed or can be re-mixed readily, it is considered physically compatible. Any physical incompatibility in the jar test indicates that ASTUN should not be used in the tank-mix.

The user should note that not all ornamental plant varieties have been tested with all possible tank mix combinations. Thus the combination should be tested for safety on a small portion of the target plant to ensure that a phytotoxic response will not occur.