The original formulation of spinosad was registered for cotton
and
some vegetables, and was called SpinTor or Tracer. It contained inert
ingredients not acceptable by IFOAM and most organic certifiers --
that is
why it does not show up on the IFOAM list. In response to popular
demand,
Dow AgroSciences invested a considerable sum -- I have no idea but I bet
millions -- in coming up with an effective, stable formulation with OMRI-
and USDA-NOP-acceptable inerts. The new organic formulation is called
Entrust; it has been reviewed by the USDA-NOP and OMRI and found to be a
non-synthetic product, and hence does not need approval by the NOSB-NOP
(being of natural origin).
Spinosad is a very good biopesticide. It fits great in IPM
programs and is extremely important as a thrips and whitefly material
where
tomatoes, peppers, and other veggies are grown. It is highly toxic to
bees, however, so must be used with great care in areas where/when
bees are
foraging. It is also highly toxic to certain aquatic invertebrates, but
since it is applied at very low rates/acre in mostly dry areas, and is
reasonably expensive, runoff is not a major isse.
There are two big issues/challenges Saneters should be aware
of. First, spinosad is a pretty big, stable molecule and can be
sprayed up
to just days before harvest -- which is good, in that farm workers,
pickers, and consumers are not getting exposed to OP, carbamate and other
much nastier insecticides. But spinosad does and will show up as
residues,
and hence any company or ecolabel program based on a "no detectable
residue" claim could stop farmers from using it.
Second, resistance management is a major concern with
spinosad. To its credit, Dow AgroScieneces devotes considerable
attention/directions to resistant management on spinosad product
labels. I
have a piece on the unique challenges faced by organic farmers in
managing/avoiding resistance to spinosad coming out in the next American
Vegetable Grower magazine. That short article alerts the organic
community
to some of the unique resistance management issues surrounding
spinosad and
urges vigilance. It would be a tragedy to undermine the efficacy of this
important new biopesticide.
_________________________________________________________________
Charles Benbrook Ag BioTech InfoNet
<http://www.biotech-info.net>
Benbrook Consulting Services CU FQPA site <http://www.ecologic-ipm.com>
5085 Upper Pack River Road IPM site <http://www.pmac.net>
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
Voice: (208)-263-5236
Fax: (208)-263-7342
E-mail: <benbrook@hillnet.com>
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