Avoiding Phosphine Resistance
Phosphine is the most commonly used fumigant for protecting grain. However, a growing resistance to phosphine fumigants has caused trouble for grain markets both in Australia and abroad. This growing resistance is often caused by incorrect use of fumigants making application via strict adherence to label recommendations a must.2
Some pests are more tolerant of phosphine fumes which means that, where phosphine is incorrectly used, these more resistant pests will survive and breed and while the less resistant pests will die off.2 This incorrect use will ultimately mean that the more resistant pests thrive and become more abundant. The resistance becomes greater every time phosphine is used incorrectly causing problems on your farm and for the industry as a whole.
Here are some helpful tips to reducing the chances of phosphine resistance.
1. Rotating Fumigant protection. As with herbicides, it is recommended to rotate the fumigants you use. This interrupts the process mentioned above and is more likely to affect a greater number of pest who, while they may have a tolerance to one fumigant may not have the same tolerance for another. Rotation helps to slow resistance levels over time. 2
2. Making sure your containers or silos are gas sealed. Some recent studies found at the site of small holes in silos gas was only at around 3ppm.1This means that most of the gas needed to fumigate your silo or container can exit even through a very small hole reducing the dose and effectiveness of the fumigant. For those holes and cracks that may go undetected, it is recommended that you monitor the levels of gas and to check the pressure of your silo or container. 2
3. Administer Phosphine according to label. The numbers on the label have been tried and tested by the manufacturer to give you the best outcomes. Using the recommended levels and methods for application will ensure that the fumigant works to control pests at every stage of life and at sufficient levels to adequately and safely provide for the best outcome. If fumigants are not administered at the right doses it increases the risk of increasing the level of resistance.
4. Prevention. With pest control this is only one part of the solution, but it can be an essential part of your overall grain protection plan. Make sure your silo or container is completely cleaned out of residue and dust1. Remove any areas of untreated habitat where pests might thrive. 1 Finally, make sure grain is cool as low temperatures can significantly reduce reproduction of pest and insects. 2
Tara Rural Supplies and Condamine Seeds and Tyres carry a variety of grain protection options from Fumigants to blankets and other great products. Give us a call or visit us in store to talk to our knowledgeable agronomist and staff.
Also, take a look at the links below to go to the source for the this write up and for more extensive information.
Dr. Collins, P. (2009) Grain Trade. Strategy to manage resistance to phosphine in the Australian grain industry. https://www.graintrade.org.au/sites/default/files/file/NWPGP/Phosphine%20Resistance%20Strategy.pdf
2. Burrill, P. Dr Nayak, M. Dr. Daglish, G. Dr. Jagadeesan, R. (February 11 2022). GDRC: Ground Cover. Successful Fumigation: Gas-Tight and Just Right. https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/farm-business/grain-storage/successful-fumigation-gas-tight-and-just-right
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