VATIS UPDATE Article

Imaflex Inc., the United States, has developed a plastic mulch film, ADVASEAL® HSM, that releases a selective herbicide to control certain broadleaf weeds and nutsedge. The herbicide, Halosulfuron-Methyl* (HSM), is continuously and completely delivered over three to four days leading to better efficacy, higher crop yields and lower application costs. ADVASEAL® HSM is the first controlled release plastic mulch that ever has received a pesticide registration worldwide.

US-EPA registered it as new herbicide formulation for approved crop uses on asparagus, cucumbers, cantaloupes, melons, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes. ADVASEAL® HSM is currently already commercial available in the Southeast of the US, where most states have completed registration. ADVASEAL® HSM delivers a combination of efficacy, simplicity, and safety for the control of noxious weeds and in addition controls emission of fumigants (required for a transition period for soil borne pathogen control).

Data are reviewed across trials for efficacy, crop safety, fumigant containment, and agronomic suitability of ADVASEAL® HSM for selected crop production systems. These characteristics of ADVASEAL® HSM are discussed in light of its suitability to release in addition selective nematicides and fungicides to provide in combination with herbicides a sufficient broad band activity to replace soil fumigants in pre-plant soil sanitation.