Contact: Jane H. Larson (608) 224-5005 (608) 212-3094 cell
MADISON—Because of heavy snow and freezing temperatures in early May that destroyed shade covers and froze emerging plants, ginseng growers are also facing a potential disease outbreak in the surviving plants so a crisis pesticide exemption for a fungicide has been declared by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Beginning Friday, May 21, Wisconsin ginseng growers can apply Gavel® 75DF Fungicide to ginseng to suppress Phytophthora stem and leaf blight. The disease can cause leaf loss, limit root growth and reduce yields of the harvested ginseng root. The root is the most valued part of the ginseng plant.
The crisis exemption procedure allows states to authorize, for a limited time, the use of a pesticide to meet a crop-related emergency such as an insect outbreak or a plant disease.
Because ginseng is a crop that is harvested after three or four years of growth, this disease, if not controlled, puts growers at risk for losing their entire crop in infected ginseng gardens.
Gavel® 75DF Fungicide is registered for use on other fruits and vegetables such as grapes, watermelons, potatoes, tomatoes and squash. The fungicide contains the active ingredients mancozeb and zoxamide and is manufactured by the Gowan Company.
Ginseng growers can apply Gavel® 75DF Fungicide at a rate of 1.5 to 2.0 pounds of product per acre per application. Growers are limited to six applications per season, at least seven days apart. The applications must be complete by October 31, 2010 and the ginseng cannot be harvested for 28 days following the last application.
Although the crisis pesticide exemption is in place, it is the choice of the individual grower to use the product.
Wisconsin raises 95 percent of the U.S. ginseng crop much of which is shipped overseas where it is a key ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine and is often used a dietary supplement.
If you have questions on the crisis exemption, contact Matt Sunseri, pesticide registration coordinator, (608) 224-4547 or matt.sunseri@wisconsin.gov.
