Amvac releases new fungicide to control anthracnose

Amvac Chemical Corp., a subsidiary of American Vanguard Corp., has introduced AUTILUS, a new turf fungicide. It can be used to control anthracnose on putting greens, tees and fairways.

Anthracnose is particularly destructive to high maintenance turf, developing as foliar blight or basal rot. Over the years, the disease has developed resistance to a number of important fungicide classes. AUTILUS is a Group 14 fungicide that has contact activity and provides a multi-site mode of action.

AUTILUS is a PCNB fungicide that provides excellent control of anthracnose on putting green turf consisting of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass. PCNB forms a protective zone around plants, thus protecting them from disease infection.

The new use of this classic fungicide is due, in part, to research conducted at Penn State University beginning in 2013. Field trials conducted during 2014 by leading university and private researchers confirmed that AUTILUS is an effective tool for the control of anthracnose.

“AUTILUS is highly effective in controlling a disease (anthracnose) that has developed resistance to fungicide products from a variety of classes,” says Chuck Silcox, Ph.D., product development manager, for Amvac Environmental Products. “Used in an early application at a low rate, AUTILUS takes advantage of a different mode of action to help control this disease, serving as an important component in an anthracnose resistance management program.”

Treatment recommendations for anthracnose include 6 fluid ounces of AUTILUS mixed with 0.6 fluid ounces of Torque and 0.37 fluid ounces of Par pigment. This should be applied to turfgrass that is well established, actively growing and not under excessive heat, moisture or drought stress. Suggested times for AUTILUS application include one application in May through early June and one or two applications in late August through October. If multiple applications are made during this latter time, they should be at least four weeks apart.