Rubigan

Rubigan — fungicide that, when applied to leaves, provides excellent and long-lasting control of powdery mildew and scab on all apple varieties. The active ingredient in Rubigan is fenarimol.

 

RUBIGAN HAS LOCAL SYSTEMIC ACTION

Rubigan is rapidly absorbed by leaves after spraying. It spreads systemically through the leaves, moving from leaf tips and edges via the conducting tissue. Spores of powdery mildew and scab, upon contact with treated leaves, quickly encounter Rubigan, which prevents their penetration into leaf tissue. Consequently, they wilt and die.

Rubigan also inhibits the formation of sterols (complex organic compounds) by fungal cells, which are essential for mycelial development. This means that Rubigan can also eradicate established powdery mildew and halt scab development if applied within four days after infection.

 

RUBIGAN SUPPRESSES BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY POWDERY MILDEW INFECTIONS

New shoots that developed from infected buds in the previous year (primary infection) carry the disease into the next growing season, infecting new wood (secondary infection). Unlike other classical fungicides, Rubigan not only effectively suppresses and prevents secondary powdery mildew infections but also suppresses primary infections.

 

RUBIGAN — PREVENTIVE AND CURATIVE AGAINST SCAB

Traditionally, scab is controlled through preventive sprays. However, Rubigan is not only a preventive agent. It also gives farmers flexibility, allowing the use of the product to suppress disease even after scab has already developed. Scab appears when, during a certain period at a given temperature, leaf moisture is maintained (Mill’s table). Scab infection is detected using special equipment.

 

RUBIGAN — ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE

Rubigan can be used on all apple varieties and is completely harmless to crops. It does not affect insects such as bees, and therefore can be applied during flowering without restrictions. Rubigan is harmless to the environment, wildlife, birds, and earthworms.

 

RUBIGAN ON CROPS:

— Pear: scab;

— Grape: powdery mildew;

— Pumpkin: powdery mildew;

— Peaches and nectarines: powdery mildew;

— Roses: powdery mildew;

— Cherry: moniliosis;

— Strawberry: spotting, powdery mildew;

— Blackcurrant: American powdery mildew.

 

APPLICATION RECOMMENDATIONS

 

High-volume spraying: 0.03–0.04% Rubigan (=0.45–0.6 l Rubigan in 1500 l spray solution per 1 ha).

Low-volume spraying: 0.45–0.6 l/ha Rubigan.

 

1. Prevention program:

— Rubigan can be applied from bud break through the entire flowering period and up to two weeks before harvest;

— Spraying intervals: 10 days (high disease pressure, rapid growth); up to 14 days (low disease pressure, slow growth);

— Most critical sprays should be conducted before flowering and within six weeks after it.

2. Scab control:

— Rubigan has «back-action» up to 4 days; determine scab infection using leaf humidity recorder, thermohygrometer, and Mill’s table;

— Apply Rubigan within 4 days after infection;

— Reapply Rubigan if infection reappears 6 or more days after the previous application.

 

In some countries, Rubigan is used in spray programs combined with other agents against scab and powdery mildew. To maximize the benefits of Rubigan application, it should be applied during high disease pressure periods, preferably conducting a minimum of 3–5 consecutive sprays.