Telone® II Approved for At-Plant Application in Georgia

EPA issues supplemental label for soil fumigant to help growers manage cotton pests

INDIANAPOLIS - Feb. 5, 2008 - Georgia cotton growers can now control nematodes in the treatment zone at planting time with TELONE® II soil fumigant. The State of Georgia issued a supplemental, 24c product label after identifying a local need to control nematodes - microscopic pests that are a leading cause of yield losses for cotton growers. The special labeling allows for at-plant application of TELONE II soil fumigant for Georgia cotton. This is especially helpful to those growers who are using minimum tillage such as strip till. Previously, TELONE II applications in Georgia required a separate pass seven days prior to planting.

Application of TELONE II is an effective way to control nematodes in the zone of treatment. It is a soil fumigant for control of all major species of nematodes, including root knot, reniform, lesion, stubby root, dagger, ring, pin, and cyst nematodes.

"At-plant application will save growers a trip across their fields while protecting yields from direct and indirect loss from nematodes," said Stan Childers, Telone soil fumigant consultant.  "It extends the planting window and is great news for growers who use minimum tillage practices."

"Some nematodes have been around for centuries, but growers are increasingly becoming aware of the damage they can cause to cotton and other crops," said Tony Weiss, product technology specialist at Dow AgroSciences. "Reducing nematodes is critical in the state of Georgia, as data shows they are a growing threat to cotton in this state. Once nematodes are identified in a field at levels to cause damage, they must be reduced.  If left untreated, they can cause considerable crop damage and losses. 

"Application of TELONE® is a cost-effective way to reduce nematode populations in cotton fields in Georgia.  The 24c label for TELONE is giving strip till growers an opportunity to control nematode populations in the zone of treatment at the same time they plant cotton," said Weiss.

TELONE II should be applied at a rate of three gallons per acre as a row treatment.  The guidelines call for suitable ground application equipment to insure proper placement of the fumigant - minimum of 12 inches below the final planting surface - and proper soil sealing.

"At-plant application will make the application of TELONE II easier, but there are a number of precautions that growers should consider," said Childers.  "Crop injury is not expected, but could happen with at-plant application under certain application conditions - during cool, wet weather; when hard, compacting rains fall within two days of application; on heavy soils; or at rates of more than three gallons per acre."

For more information about TELONE® II, visit  www.TELONE.com. 

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population.  Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $3.8 billion. Learn more at www.dowagro.com.

Jake LeRoy
Bader Rutter & Associates
(262) 938-5494
jleroy@bader-rutter.com