Scala, Luna Experience and Luna Sensation offer superior disease protection and provide an effective approach to resistance management

December 10, 2019

Bayer solutions provide protection from almond bloom diseases - pink bud through bloom

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloom diseases are a consistent threat to California almond growers, in part due to unpredictable weather that in recent years has been warmer, wetter and more humid. When ideal conditions exist for bloom diseases to thrive, growers need a program that addresses weather, disease risk and resistance management. Scala® fungicide, Luna® Sensation fungicide and Luna® Experience fungicide address disease risk and resistance management concerns across weather conditions.

The most effective course of action for almond growers is to be proactive at the pink bud stage, targeting new growth when tissues are vulnerable to infection, and continuing through bloom and post-bloom. A combination of Scala fungicide followed by a Luna fungicide from Bayer is the recommended treatment to ensure successful disease protection (Figure 1).

Scala is the first line of treatment when applied during pink bud. When almonds are vulnerable, this foliar fungicide protects from brown rot blossom blight. With preventative and curative activity, Scala gets a jump start on protection. It rapidly penetrates and moves within developing buds. Efficacy publications from the University of California, Davis rate Scala as excellent and consistent on brown rot blossom blight. Scala has been proven to perform especially well at this timing which can be cool and rainy.

Luna Experience and Luna Sensation also received high marks from the University of California, Davis (Figure 2) in efficacy and yield gain compared to other fungicides. Luna fungicides specifically contribute to resistance management by combining different FRAC groups, having two modes of action in each product. With long-lasting, broad-spectrum protection of unopened buds, Luna penetrates green tissue and moves systemically. Both Luna fungicide products defend against all key bloom diseases.

"Luna is an effective management tool against the diseases if used at the proper timing," said Matthew Wilson, field sales representative for Bayer. "We always like to recommend that our fungicides are used in a preventative manner prior to there being an outbreak or a disease issue that is in the field. So proper timing is very important in any disease management program."

"Within our fungicide rotation, we're kicking off with Scala, and will come back with Luna, which gives us full coverage and really helps us cover all aspects and concerns," said grower Scott Long, general manager for Superior Fruit Ranch.

To learn more about bloom disease management with Bayer fungicides Scala, Luna Experience and Luna Sensation, contact your Bayer Crop Science representative or visit https://www.cropscience.bayer.us/products/fungicides/luna/scala-and-luna-in-almond

Bayer is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

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About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2018, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of 39.6 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.6 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

Contact:

Bayer Media Hotline, 1-862-404-5118, or

Tyler Schwertner
Crop Science, a division of Bayer
Tel: (325) 812-3676
Email: tyler.schwertner@bayer.com

Elizabeth Smith
Rhea + Kaiser
Tel: (630) 955-2601
Email: esmith@rkconnect.com

Find more information at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

© 2019 Bayer Group. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Luna, and Scala are registered trademarks of Bayer. Vangard is a registered trademark of Syngenta. Merivon and Pristine are registered trademarks of BASF. Rovral is a registered trademark of FMC. Not all products are registered in all states. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.cropscience.bayer.us. Bayer CropScience LP, 800 North Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63167.


SOURCE Bayer