After several months of virtual meetings, stakeholders have agreed to pursue crop protection research to improve production of radish, coriander, basil, outdoor ornamentals and grapes. 

This biological fungicide can now be used to suppress diseases on greenhouse and field vegetables and herbs, as well as greenhouse strawberries and cannabis in Canada. 

PMRA has granted label expansion of Pylon miticide-insecticide for chili and onion thrips in greenhouse ornamentals. The product also suppresses pests in greenhouse fruiting crops/cucumbers. 

The Pest Management Centre is in final stages of identifying 10 priority ‘A’ projects says executive director Dr. Marcos Alvarez. That’s a tough exercise to winnow from the current list of 47 projects, given the diversity of Canada’s horticultural industry.  

This biological mycoinsecticide label has been expanded via the Minor Use Program for management of whiteflies, aphids and thrips on additional greenhouse-grown crops in Canada. These include eggplant, lettuce, mint, onion and Brassica transplants, Asian water spinach and strawberries. 

Multinational Syngenta organizes crop protection and seed units in Switzerland, Israel, United States and China.

PMRA has granted approval for Closer insecticide in root and tuber vegetables to control leafhoppers and tarnished plant bug in addition to the existing label for aphid control.

Due to COVID-19, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency is likely delaying several re-evaluation decisions. Growers should note that some of those decisions impact horticultural products. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pest Management Centre has announced that only 30 per cent of the field and greenhouse crop protection trials will go forward in 2020.