Mirage c.e.

Pathogen Control Technology

The core of "Mirage EC" is prochloraz, a member of the imidazole class. Its key technical advantage is not just systemic movement within plant tissues, but a distinct locally systemic effect. Unlike triazoles, prochloraz has the capacity to penetrate the leaf cuticle, providing a protective barrier exactly where fungal hyphae attempt to enter the plant tissue.

Infection Suppression Mechanism

The prochloraz molecule blocks ergosterol biosynthesis in pathogen cells. In practice, this means halting spore and mycelium development at early stages. The product demonstrates high efficiency against a broad spectrum of small grain diseases:

• Eyespot and Septoria attacking stems and leaves.
• Powdery mildew that inhibits photosynthesis.
• Fusarium head blight, a critical threat to grain quality.
• Net blotch and Helminthosporium on barley.

The formulation — an emulsifiable concentrate — ensures rapid surface wetting and the creation of a wash-off resistant film. This serves as a critical component in a protection system under variable humidity conditions, where infection risks are at their peak.

Regulations and Application Strategy

To achieve consistent results, the application rate varies from 1 to 1.5 L/ha depending on the phytosanitary status of the crop. It is registered for up to two applications per season. The 30-day pre-harvest interval allows for use on winter crops without the risk of residues in commercial grain.

The manufacturer, Makhteshim Chemical Works Ltd (part of the Makhteshim Agan Industries group), has engineered the "Mirage" formulation to be highly compatible with tank mixes, allowing it to be effectively combined with other components of intensive crop protection technology.