Every winter, rodents invade homes looking for a warm place to harbor and nest. As we say goodbye to winter and welcome summer, rats continue to invade homes in search of food. Rats do not make good house guests regardless of the season due to their destructive behavior like gnawing furniture, food packaging or clothes and they can transmit diseases through their droppings and biting. In Zimbabwe the most common rat types that invade homes are the black rat and the brown rat. Once in your home, rats breed and multiply swiftly. 

Here are some tips to help reduce chances of rats invading your home this summer

• Thoroughly inspect the exterior and interior of your home. If you identify any openings or cracks, you can seal the cracks or openings with steel wool or any ideal substance. This will help prevent rats from squeezing or gnawing through the spaces.
• Keep your garage and other storage areas well organized. For instance, store boxes on shelves and not on the floors.
• Install door sweeps on all exterior doors
• Dispose of garbage promptly, and keep garbage cans as far away from your home as possible.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home, rats like to nest in wood piles therefore moving firewood further from your home makes it harder for rats to get inside your house.

Have rats already invaded your home and you are in dire need of professional help? Thankfully homeowners no longer need to worry about rats’ invasion and infestations because as Agricura we offer professional rodent control services that are designed to control rats’ infestations no matter what time of the year. Our prices are affordable and the service is prompt and can be customized to better meet your needs. We have been in the business for over 51 years and over this time we have built a formidable wealth of experience. We are well equipped with latest technology and well trained staff. When it comes to pest management, we strongly believe no one is better than us. Get in touch with us today.

Accent/Nicosulfron 75DF
A systemic post-emergent herbicide for the control of shamva grass, wild sorghum, volunteer cereals and some broad leaved weeds in commercial maize on all soil types. Apply the product when the maize crop is at 3 – 4 leaf stage, when the main target (Shamva grass) is at 3 – 6 leaf stage, when wild sorghum is at 5 – 6 leaf stage and when volunteer cereals are at 3 – 6 leaf stage.
Effective weed control is guaranteed when weeds are controlled at the indicated growth stages, the product will have a considerable effectiveness even on certain off label weeds and some broad leaved weeds. Apply the herbicide at the rate of 45 grams per 200 – 250 litres of water per hectare. It is always recommended to use the herbicide together with our Agricura Agriwett for effective results. Rain fastness period is about 6 hours.
The waiting period ranges from 8 – 24 months depending on the crop, refer to label for a specific waiting period for a particular crop.

Halosulfron 75WG
A selective post-emergent herbicide for the control of nutsedges (cyperus species) i.e pfende and ndave (yellow and purple nutsedges) in maize and sugarcane. Recommended to apply the herbicide at 2 – 6 leaf stage of the weeds for effective results. Halosulfron will also control certain broad leaved weeds. It has minimum control on late germinating weeds. Apply the herbicide at the rate of 50 grams per 200 – 250 litres of water per hectare.
It is always recommended to use the herbicide together with our Agricura Agriwett for effective results. Rain fastness period is about 6 hours. The product is generally compatible with other herbicides at normal rates. Waiting period is 1 – 13 months depending on crop, refer to label for a specific waiting period for a particular crop.

Agricura Agriwett – General purpose, 100% non-ionic wetter and sticker
It’s a 100% non-ionic wetter. It enhances the efficiency of sprays through improving coverage and adherence thus giving a long lasting effect. It may be added when spraying field crops, plantations, vegetables, ornamentals and home gardens. Agricura Agriwett reduces surface tension of the spray solution so that smaller droplets form at the nozzle. Those droplets spread over on the plant surface and coalesce until a uniform continuous film is formed. It also increases sticking ability of the spray mix and thus helps reduce washing off through rain.
When spraying crops with waxy surfaces the product should always be added for effectiveness. The product is compatible with commonly used fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, trace elements and it does not impair the suspensibility of pesticides.
Dilution rates:
Fungicides/Insecticides – 2.5mls per 10 litres.
Herbicides – 5mls per 10 litres of water. Up to 200mls per 200 litres of water is recommended for much more desirable results.
Dessicant/Aerial application – 10 mls per 10 litres of water

Atrazine 500FW
A selective pre-emergent or early post emergent herbicide for the control of broad leaved weeds and rapoko grass. Application rate ranges from 3 – 5 litres per hectare, dosage rate depends on application time (Pre/Post emergent), weed types, weed pressure, whether the herbicide is being tank mixed with a grass herbicide or not, soil type (percentage of clay) among other critical factors. When using the product post emergent it is most recommended to apply when the weeds are at 4 – 6 leaf stage. The volume of water to be used per hectare is normally 200 – 250 litres. The herbicide is generally compatible with most grass herbicides. Take note of the longer residual period of atrazine if you are doing crop rotations, going up to 18 months. Reference should be made to the label to confirm the exact waiting periods for specified crops.

Contact Details:
Agricura PVT Limited Head Office, No. 62 Birmingham Road, P.O Box 2742 Southerton, Harare Zimbabwe
Landline: 04-621570-9, Cell: 0772 144 441-2, Email: agricura@agricura.co.zw Website: www.agricura.co.zw Facebook: Agricura PVT Limited

Growing Farming Generations!

Besides using the common effective alternative remedies such as the much popular Albex/Albendazole among other remedies for dosing cattle and sheep, Agricura has Rafazole which is one of the best oral chemical for effective treatment and control of gastro-intestinal and pulmonary nematode infections as well as the control of stomach and bowel internal parasites such as lungworm, roundworms, all species of mature and immature liver flukes.

Dosage: 12,5ml/50kg bodymass in cattle and 2,5ml/10kg bodymass in sheep.

Lets kill them all with one stone by getting rid of them now before they take our productivity into injury level.

Agricura PVT Limited

Growing farming generations

Taxonomic Tree

Domain: Eukaryota

A very critically important list of effective chemicals for the control of Tuta Absoluta. N.B. There is need for at least three to four different chemicals or chemical combinations. Tuta Absoluta has no specific chemicals that can hammer it on its own hence the need to consider alternating chemicals from different chemical groups, with different modes of action, for effective control and for resistance management. The list is as follows:
Abamectin + DDVP
Belt + Decis forte
Emamectin benzoate + Lufenuron
Emamectin benzoate + Thiamethoxam
Emamectin benzoate + Lambda cyhalothrin
Runner (Insect growth regulator)
Delegate
Tracer
Cartap hydrochloride
Acephate
Lannate/Methomyl
Biobit (this is a biological insecticide)
Imidacloprid
Avaunt
Best results are obtained when you are using an Integrated Pest Management, so u need to also consider the use of Tuta Absoluta pheromone traps to take care of the adult males. 

Agricura PVT Limited

Growing Farming Generations

Topic: Red Spider Mites!

Red Spider Mites (Tetranychus spp) are a major pest in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicon, formerly lycopersicon esculuntum) they can ruin the tomato plant to the greatest extent, they colonise mainly the underside of the leaves and suck plant juices severely. Tiny arachnids , spider mites are in the same family as spiders and ticks and are one of the major pest problems of tomato plants.

Spider Mites is a particularly difficult pest to eradicate as it readily develops tolerance to chemical controll and therefore generally requires several applications of chemicals belonging to different groups of chemistry in order to get rid of all stages of the life cycle ( mites, eggs, nymphs).

There are various controll options for Red Spider Mites such as the use of predatory mites as biological control, also the use of natural predators such as lacewings and ladybugs, sanity issues in terms of keeping plants healthy and areas around the plants must be kept free from debris and dust.

There are several chemicals that can be used to controll Red spider mites , such as Monocrotophos (banned product), Tetradifon which is good for eggs, sterilising the female red spider and the larval stage, the popular Abamectin 1.8 EC, Profenophos, Dicofol 18.5 EC and Mitac 20EC.

Red Spider Mites are so quick to develop tolerance to insecticides especially if the same insecticide is used time and again hence the need to use several insecticides belonging to different chemical groups, in terms of different active ingredients, since Abamectin 1.8EC is already a popular product, there is also the need to consider more acaricides to the insecticide basket that farmers already have in as much as Red Spider Mites are concerned and today we shall look at two more products namely Dicofol 18.5 EC and Mitac 20EC.

Dicofol belongs to the chemical group organochlorine, the active ingredient is dicofol about 18.5 % emulsifiable concentrate, this is a highly effective contact accaricide for the controll of Red spider mites, red mites, flat mites and grey mites, this chemical have a long residual effect and is of low toxicity to beneficial insects such as pollinating insects. The product can be used in Citrus as well. Dilution is generally 22 mls per 10 litres of water. The chemical is compatible with other chemicals. Waiting period before harvesting for all crops is 7 days.

Amitraz or Mitac 20, the active ingredient is amitraz, it belongs to the chemical group Amidine, as highlighted above dicofol is an organochlorine, mitac is an amidine, so these two accaricides belong to different chemical groups and they have different active ingredients. Mitac 20 is a translaminar accaricide which is effective against ALL STAGES of Red Spider Mites, in tomatoes, cotton, chrysanthemums, and its relatively non toxic to beneficial insects, application rate as per label is about 1.5 litres per hectare, applicable as a full cover spray, Pre-harvest interval is about 3 days.

Take your pen and paper as you go through this article as Agricura presents a brilliant chemical solution for you!

GF 120 ~Fruit Fly Bait

Background Information

Fruit fly larvae (maggots) can cause your fruit and vegetables to turn into a soft, mushy messy. Adult female fruit flies lay eggs in the flesh of ripening and ripe fruits and vegetables. Once the eggs hatch , the larvae begin to feed within the fruit, causing it to ripen prematurely, rot and drop to the ground. This damage make your fruit inedible!! If uncontrolled, fruit flies can damage up to 100 percent of some fruit crops!

But What is GF 120?

It is a selective concentrate bait for the control of fruit fly species infesting various fruit, cucurbit, tomatoe and green pepper crops, the product is suitable for use in organic crop production.

In which crops and fruit trees can a farmer/agripreneur use the product?

– Tomatoes, green peppers

– Curcubits (cucumbers, squash, watermelon, muskmelon, gourds)

– Olives, table and wine grapes

– Apples, pears, apricots, peaches, plums, guavas, avocados, mangoes, litchis

What is the application rate per hectare?

Application rate/ dosage rate depends on the crop, target pests and is always indicated clearly on the label. However GF 120 have some key unique features in terms of application of the Bait as follows:
GF 120 application rate is normally between 1 – 1.2 litres per hectare.

Bait mixture ( The chemical – GF 120 + water) should be between 10 – 30 litres only.
This means the product should be diluted in between 9 – 29 litres of water per hectare.
In addition this means that 500 mls covers 0.5 hectares and is diluted in 14.5 litres of water.
Apply as coarse and scattered droplets at relatively low pressure in such a way that the droplets must be between 1 – 4mm in diameter
Active ingredient: Spinosad (spinosyns)

Spraying intervals
Spray your crop after every 10 to 14 days, depending on such factors as weather conditions, pest pressure/ rate of recurrence of the insect, it is generally recommended to alternate the product with Malathion or Kontakill.

Chemical group: Naturalyte

What is the pre-harvest interval? 
How many days do i take before i can harvest my crop?

Amazing: Pre-harvest interval (PHI) for GF 120 is just 1 day!

Can i mix the product with other insecticides & fungicides?

No, GF 120 is not supposed to be mixed with any other chemicals.

In what pack sizes can i find the product?

The product is packed in a very small pack size to cater for all farmers and Agripreneurs, the product can be found in 500 ml packs.
Agricura PVT Limited

Growing Farming Generations

HERBICIDES

NEMATICIDES

Definitions, Product uses, Generalised mode of action.

Agricura PVT Limited presents:
Acknowledgements: CropLife Zimbabwe

HERBICIDES

These are compounds used to control weeds, which are normally defined as plants growing out of place. Herbicides can be divided into different categories according to their selectivity and timing of application.

Non-selective or selective herbicides
A non selective herbicide will influence any plant with which it comes into contact, while a selective herbicide will control certain weeds without harming the crop.

Pre-emergent herbicides

These are applied at planting on or in the soil before the germination of weed seeds takes place, controlling the weed during seed germination or just before or immediately after emergence of the seedling from the soil.

Post-emergent herbicides

These are applied on growing weeds after they have emerged from the soil. Post emergence herbicides may be:

Contact compounds i.e controlling only the foliage exposed to the herbicide.

Systemic compounds which are those taken up by the foliage or other parts of the plant, translocated by the water conducting tissues, and then controlling the weed by interference with its normal physiological functions. These compounds may also be taken up by the roots and then translocated to the leaves.

NEMATICIDES

These are compounds specifically developed to control nematodes. Amongst this group we find compounds with the following modes of action:

Contact nematicide is referred to when nematodes are controlled when they come into contact with the compound.

Systemic nematicide is absorbed by the plant and nematodes are controlled inside the infested tissue or when feeding on the plant tissue.

Soil fumigant is spread through the soil in the gaseous phase controlling the nematodes on contact. Nematicide may have a combination of the above mentioned properties.

BACTERICIDES

GROWTH REGULATORS

ADJUVANTS

Definitions, Product uses, Generalised mode of action.

Agricura PVT Limited presents:
Acknowledgements: CropLife Zimbabwe

ACARICIDES

Acaricides are compounds specifically developed to control mites. They may be:
Contact compounds where mites are controlled when they come into direct with the compound, or
Systemic compounds i.e the compound is absorbed by the plant and the mites are controlled when they feed on the plant. Acaricides may have a combination of these two modes of action.

BACTERICIDES

Bactericides are compounds of which some have antibiotic properties, which were specifically developed to control bacteria. These are usually applied in a specific manner e.g as an injection via a hole in the trunk of a tree. The use of bactericides in plant disease control is very limited.

GROWTH REGULATORS

Growth regulators are compounds specifically developed for their ability to regulate the growth of plants. Growth and or ripening may be enhanced or retarded e.g the use of ripeners in sugarcane and pineapples and the use of growth regulators in lawns to retard growth. Growth regulators may also be used to produce less but larger fruits.

ADJUVANTS

Adjuvants are compounds which are used to enhance the performance of agricultural remedies. They may be added to alleviate an inherent deficiency in the product or to improve its general performance. Various adjuvants are on the market i.e:
Wetters (spreaders), which reduce the surface tension of water droplets ensuring uniform distribution of the remedy on the plant surface.
Stickers, which are added to improve the adhesion of remedies on the plant surface.
Buffers, which are added to increase or reduce the pH of a spray mixture in order to stabilize the pH-sensitive products at a specific pH – range.
Penetrators, which enhances the absorption of a compound through the foliage.
Drift control agents, which reduce spray drift especially during aerial spraying operations.

Agricura is the leading and most and most recognized brand in Agricultural chemicals and pest control services in Zimbabwe.
We offer a comprehensive agrochemicals package supported by free expert technical assistance country wide.
Agrochemicals formulated and distributed by Agricura include insecticides, fungicides, fumigants, herbicides, rodenticides, nematicides, adjuvants and veterinary products/remedies (dips and doses).
Agricura PVT Limited
Growing Farming Generations.

This is very important since farming is a business, the return per dollar invested is the most important aspect. One of the most critical agronomy issues in farming is weed management, remember yield losses can go up to as far as 60% or more if weed management is not done properly.

So Agri-preneurs, Agricura PVT Limited brings you a technical dose of the day pertaining weed management in particular the most important land clearing herbicide:
GLYPHOSATE

It is one of the most advanced herbicides/weedkillers on earth. It incorporates a highly effective systemic action.

Glyphosate is sprayed on to the leaves of the weeds. It’s absorbed through the leaves and enters the plant’s sap stream. It is carried to the growing points of the weed’s roots and shoots. Glyphosate kills the leaves, shoots and roots. Soil is left ready for replanting.

Because it kills right down to the root, Glyphosate will eradicate almost all weeds, including deep-rooted perennials such as Lantana camara and problematic weeds such as couch grass (kapinga/tsangadzi) shamva grass and many more.

Why is Glyphosate recommended?

Glyphosate is one of the safest weedkillers available when it’s used correctly.

One of the reasons for this is because Glyphosate deactivates upon contact with soil and is degraded by micro organisms.

KEY POINTS TO NOTE

Glyphosate is a post emergent herbicide (applied on emerged weeds) that are actively growing, inongoshanda chete pane sora rakamera uye ririkuratidza kuti harina kuneta panguva yatirikumwaya mushonga wedu.
It is pointless to apply Glyphosate on a relatively cleaner fields, remember Glyphosate is NOT a Pre-emergent herbicide, haishandiswi kana pasina sora rakamera mumunda medu.
It has no effect in the soil. Glyphosate is a NON selective herbicide, haina chainosarudza inouraya chese chiri mumunda chakamera panguwa yatinoimwaya.
This means we can NOT apply Glyphosate when our crop is already in the field, hazvikwanisike kumwaya mushonga we Glyphosate kana mbeu dzamera mumunda nekuti inouraya neidzo mbeu dzedu, donzvo redu nderekuuraya sora kwete kuuraya mbeu.

What is the application rate per hectare?

Application rate depends on the types of weeds that are in any given piece of land, it also depends on the density of the weeds, zvinobva nemhando neuwandu hwesora huri mumunda menyu, whether there is couch grass, shamva grass, pfende, ndave, or whether its just annual grasses and broad leaved weeds. Normally we use higher rates for perennial grasses, some of which have just been mentioned.
It also depends on the age of the weeds at the time of application, are they newly emerging weeds (young weeds), are they average sized weeds or whether they are very old weeds.

Considering the factors mentioned above, the application rate therefore ranges from 1 – 8 litres per hectare, the mostly used average application rate being 4 litres per hectare.

How many days before planting?
NB. This entirely depends on the farmers intentions and prevailing field and seasonal conditions, not forgetting the state of the weeds at any given time.
Time ranges from 1 month before planting up to 2 – 3 days after planting, for those crops that propagate through seeds, this means for transplantable crops its strictly before transplanting.

Can i mix Glyphosate with Pre-emergent herbicides? 
Yes, very possible and recommended for example soon after planting your maize, for those that intend to grow maize again the next season. Let’s say there are already emerged weeds at the time of planting mybe munhu arikudyara zvekucheka ma lines zviye (zero tillage) or mybe sora ranga rati kurey zvekuti harife rese nekurima, one can have this combination immediately after planting:
Glyphosate 4.5 litres + S-Metolachlor 1 litre + Atrazine 3.5 litres per hectare, all mixed in 200 – 250 litres of water.
However as a rule, always refer to the LABEL, for specific instructions and compatibility.

The struggle against pests, diseases and weeds commenced at the time that primitive man changed his life style from that of a nomadic hunter to that of a cultivator of crops.

Throughout history we read about the devastating effects of the outbreaks of insect pests and plant diseases. A serious famine occurred for example in Ireland during the 1840’s due to the outbreak of Late blight of potatoes caused by the fungi Phytophthora infestans. More than 700 000 germans died of famine and disease due to a potatoe crop failure caused by Late blight and insects at the end of World War 1.

Since the dawn of Agriculture pests, diseases and competition by weeds have reduced the productivity of crops and farmers have been looking for ways and means of limiting these losses and of growing healthier crops in other words they have been taking steps to protect their crops. In general the more intensive the systems of cultivation, the larger are the potential losses due to harmful organisms.

It is inevitable that pathogens and pests will infect or attack crops and that weeds compete with crops for water and nutrients, thereby reducing yields. Plants will not produce reliable yields of high quality unless they are kept healthy. In all of this, crop protection products play a significant role.

In wheat it is estimated that without crop protection but otherwise unchanged cultivation practices crop losses worldwide are 16,7% due to diseases, 11,3% due to insect pests & 23,9% due to weeds (Oerke et al, 1994). Comparative loss figures for Southern Africa are 15% due to diseases, 30% due to insects and 20% due to weeds.

In maize the average losses suffered worldwide without crop protection is estimated to be 11,7% due to diseases, 19,1% due to insects and 28,8% due to weeds, total 59,6% (Oerke et al, 1994). In Southern Africa the comparative figures are 10%, 20% & 40%, total 70% loss of yield potential.

The estimated average losses in potatoes worldwide without crop protection are 24,4% due to diseases, 26,4% due to insect pests, and 22,8% due to weeds, giving an overall figure for losses of 73,6%. For Southern Africa the comparative losses are 40%, 25% & 15% (Oerke et al, 1994).

In Cotton, the loss worldwide without crop protection is estimated to be 83.5% i.e 10,2% due to diseases, 37% due to insect pests and 36,3% due to weeds. Southern African comparative figures are 10%, 55% and 25% (Oerke et al, 1994).

SO WHAT IS CHEMICAL CROP PROTECTION? 
It’s the use of chemical substances or compounds to protect crops against the damage caused by insects, plant diseases and weeds.These substances are either naturally occurring e.g in plants (pyrethrum) or the soil (sulphur) or are manufactured or synthesised in chemical plants or factories.

This group of substances are called ‘Agricultural Remedies’ and NOT poisons. These range from herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, acaricides (miticides), growth regulators, fumigants, bactericides and adjuvants

Agricura PVT Limited is the most recognized brand in Zimbabwe ~ manufactures and distributors of all these important products!

Agricura PVT Limited

Growing Farming Generations!