Effective control of Onion thrips with SOLVIGO
Vegetables
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The number of insecticides available to control Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) is declining and Syngenta Customer Marketing lead, Raeleen Watherston urges growers to use currently available control options wisely.

SOLVIGO® insecticide combines two active ingredients; thiamethoxam and abamectin, and remains an important and effective option for controlling Onion thrips.

SOLVIGO® is best applied in the early to mid-season period of crop development, while onions are actively growing and the leaf tissue is soft. 

Raeleen explains: “Using SOLVIGO® during this period means you utilise its highly systemic and translaminar properties effectively before Onion thrips populations get established in the crop. The thiamethoxam component is highly systemic and translaminar, with contact and ingestion activity. The abamectin component is translaminar and works mainly via ingestion with some contact activity.”

Another recommendation is to add a superspreader, like Du-Wett, to the spray tank to improve coverage. “This assists to get SOLVIGO® down the neck of the onions where the Onion thrips like to hide.” 

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Onion thrips

Growers should follow the industry resistance management strategy for Onion thrips. “A rotation of insecticide Mode of Action groups is recommended with each insecticide group used in a cluster of up to three sprays, to target a whole generation.”

Best practice guidelines:

  • Utilise regular crop monitoring to assess pest pressure from the 4-5 leaf stage. 
  • If numbers exceed the threshold of five Onion thrips per 50 plants, make at least two applications of SOLVIGO® back-to-back at 7-10 day intervals, with a maximum of three applications before moving to a new mode of action.
  • SOLVIGO® has a 14-day pre-harvest interval. 
  • Do not apply to any plant likely to be visited by bees at or immediately after application; or in areas where bees are foraging. 

For more advice on using SOLVIGO® in your onion crop contact your local Syngenta Territory Manager here or find out more about SOLVIGO® insecticide here.