RootShield is regarded by many growers as the standard in the industry for the preventative control of soilborne Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Fusarium, Cylindrocladium, and Thielaviopsis plant diseases. Despite RootShield’s effectiveness against these diseases, it does not provide consistent control of soilborne Phytophthora diseases and is less effective during hot summer production against Pythium aphanidermatum. To better meet the needs of growers, BioWorks introduced RootShield PLUS+ in early 2012. Not only does RootShield PLUS+ offer growers complete control of the standard RootShield, it also provides additional protection against soilborne diseases caused by Phytophthora species while at the same time providing enhanced protection against Pythium aphanidermatum. Now with both RootShield and RootShield PLUS+ available, many growers are asking, “Which product should I use?”
The original RootShield WP and Granular formulations remain very effective in preventing Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Fusarium, Cylindrodium, and Thielaviopsis diseases. We believe that growers who have a history with these specific diseases and are looking for preventative control should consider using or continue to use RootShield WP or Granules. If growers see or expect that they will have additional problems with soilborne Phytophthora or hot-season Pythium diseases, then they should consider using RootShield PLUS+ WP or Granules to control these diseases.
Growers may want to consider using both products with their use dependant on the specific crop and the time of the year. Some examples of when a grower should consider moving to RootShield PLUS+ would be the summer production of poinsettias, garden mums, and pansies, as well as spring production of vinca, osteospermum, and cyclamen.
Figures 1 and 2 below demonstrate the efficacy of RootShield PLUS+ against Phytophthora and hot-season Pythium root rot diseases in greenhouse trials.
During the development of RootShield PLUS+, BioWorks used feedback from our own research, trials by growers, and trials conducted by universities and independent researchers to develop formulations that provide the most consistent efficacy. We discovered that it is necessary to use higher rates of RootShield PLUS+ than those of standard RootShield to control Phytophthora and hot-season Pythium due to the fact that these are very difficult diseases to prevent. BioWorks recommends to growers that unless they believe that their crops will have pressure from either soilborne Phytophthora or hot-season Pythium diseases, the original RootShield WP or Granules makes the most sense to use. If a grower expects that Phytophthora or hot-season Pythium will be a problem, then the best choice is to use RootShield PLUS+.
Scott Armstrong is Central Reg. Technical Sales Manager with BioWorks. Rich Reineke is Great Lakes Reg. Technical Sales Manager with BioWorks.
