General Directions

The TRIPLE P (Plant Promotion Products) range is formulated for the protection of professional continuous plant growth programmes in conjunction with Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and biological control programmes. It is designed to deliver effective control of aphids, whiteflies, thrips and spider mites and good control of mealybugs, leafhoppers, psyllids, suckers and scale insects when applied as a contact penetration foliar spray. It also provides effective control of common root rot diseases, spread via zoosporic fungi such as pythium and phytophthora, when added to nutrient solution or irrigation water.

Question: What is SKRAM?
Answer: SKRAM is an emulsion in water which contains medium chain fatty acid nonionic surfactants derived from natural biotransformation of renewable plant-based oils (olive oil, soybean oil, yeast derived oil, and microalgae fatty acid methyl esters). SKRAM is designed to deliver effective control of whitefly, aphids and mites on protected crops such as strawberry, tomato and cucumber. SKRAM is exempt from maximum residue limit (MRL) testing and has a zero-day preharvest interval for all crops. It has minimal impact on bees, pollinators and beneficial arthropods and can be used in organic crops.
On pest contact it provides effective control of aphids, whiteflies, thrips and spider mites and good control of mealybugs, leafhoppers, psyllids, suckers and scale insects. It is effective against all insect and spider mite life stages, particularly against motile forms.

Question: How does SKRAM work?
Answer: SKRAM is active following contact with the pest body. It is active against all stages of insects and mites: juveniles and adults, as well as eggs. SKRAM contains medium chain fatty acid nonionic surfactant active substances. These are effective as the lipophilic carbon chains penetrate the external body wall of the target pest. The unsaturated part of the carbon chains interacts with multiple vital metabolic processes, which interfere with pest feeding activity (antifeedant effect), resulting in plant protection from predation. The first visible effect is the immediate cessation of feeding activity. This results in reduced feeding, egg laying and egg viability.
SKRAM is effective at destroying zoospore plasma membranes, thus reducing the ability of the spores to move in nutrient streams and infect plants. SKRAM disrupts zoospores released by active disease outbreaks and prevent these from infecting new plants. For this to be effective, SKRAM needs to be continually maintained in the nutrient solution. SKRAM also has an important role to play in general system and indoor garden hygiene. Since surfactants can not only assist in removal of biofilms and general cleaning, but also in the destruction of disease zoospores, they are a great tool for prevention of pathogen problems.
The addition of SKRAM to hydroponic nutrient solutions significantly increases crop yields and has been found to increase water use efficiency by making root membranes more permeable, thus allowing more nutrients to be absorbed by the roots. SKRAM can also act as a synergist with plant hormones giving further growth boosting effects.

Question: What are the benefits of using SKRAM?
Answer:

• Fits well with Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and Biological Control Programmes.
• Provides fast and long acting control of pest populations when applied as per instructions.
• Controls strains of insects and mites resistant to other active substances.
• Has no cross resistance with insecticides or acaricides.
• SKRAM formulation provides high levels of security to users and the environment.
• Has no residual activity, is safe for use on all edible crops and ornamental plants, and degrades rapidly in the environment.
• It has minimal impact on bees, pollinators, beneficial arthropods and Biological Control Programmes.
• Assists in removal of biofilms and general cleaning.
• Effective at disrupting zoospore plasma membranes, thus preventing the ability of the spores to move in nutrient streams and infect plants.
• Increases nutrient bioavailability and plant growth rates.
• Improved harvested crop shelf life.
• Effective control of common root rot disease pathogens.
• The addition of SKRAM to nutrient solutions can significantly increase crop yields and has been found to increase water use efficiency by making root membranes more permeable, thus allowing more nutrients to be absorbed by the roots.
• SKRAM can also act as a synergist with plant hormones giving further growth boosting effects.
• SKRAM is an antifeedant that discourages pests from feeding on treated plants. This results in reduced feeding, egg laying and egg viability.
• It aids growing, regrowth, assists photosynthesis and sustains healthy-looking plants.

Question: When and how to apply SKRAM?
Answer: Application timing – all crops

• SKRAM should always be used in accordance with the label at recommended rates for maximum benefit in terms of insect control and resistance management.
• SKRAM is readily miscible in water, so use minimum agitation during preparation and application to avoid the formation of foam.
• Use reverse osmosis (RO) make-up water. Use good quality soft water, avoid hard water over with more than >300 parts per million CaCO₃ equivalent in water hardness. Conduct a jar test if water hardness is high and correct if required.
• Ensure complete wetting of the target pests, aiming to achieve good placement of the solution on the target foliage and covering the different areas on the plant where the respective pests are located (including the underside of the leaves, if applicable). Ensure complete wetting of different areas of plant and target pests.
• Apply with a suitable spray which delivers even coverage (with slight run-off).
• Always use clean spraying equipment, ensuring all residues from previous applications have been removed from the spray tank and spray lines.
• Check to ensure correct functionality of nozzles for optimum application. Use the most suitable means of application available to achieve the desired coverage. Small drop Guardian Air Spraytip nozzles give a good number of drops per litre, while fan jet give more drops per litre, but are less easy to control with poorer retention and deposition as a consequence. Avoid the use of hollow cone nozzles as trials with vegetable crops found that the spray tends to go around the plants, and to drift. Angled nozzles tend to give better coverage than vertical nozzles as the spray is directed around all sides of the plant.
• Where there is a need to apply SKRAM to the underside of the canopy, drop leg systems should be considered. In orchards or soft fruit systems, mist blowers and air sleeve systems can be effective, but must be properly set up for the crop in question.
• Only apply when plants are fully hydrated. Do not apply in extreme heat or high light intensity.
• Use the spray solution immediately following preparation. Do not store for future use as this may lead to some separation and consequent dilution of effect.
• DO NOT MIX SKRAM with sulphur or acidic products as they may be physically incompatible and may cause phytotoxicity.
• In case of tank mixes with other products, SKRAM must always be the product that is added last to the spray tank.
• There is no residual activity, no translaminar or systemic effects, and no residual persistence.

STANDARD PROPHYLACTIC MAINTENANCE RATE
Add 15ml SKRAM to 1 Litre make-up water. Spray every 3-10 days.

INFESTATION TREATMENT RATE
Add 15ml-30ml SKRAM to 1 Litre make-up water.
Spray once per day for 3 days, then once every 3 days.
Initiate dose escalation at the first signs of the pest infestation build-up, or when founding colonies of the target pest appear.
Apply in the period of day when the pest is likely to be most vulnerable to contact.
Aim to target all stages, especially juveniles.
Preferably treat in the morning, in warm temperatures, avoiding the peak heat of the day.

CONDITIONS FOR APPLICATION

Aphids
Best results are achieved with colonies of 10-40 individuals/shoot. With very high populations, individuals shielded from the spray may restart the infestation and will require further treatment.

Whiteflies
Target larvae or nymphs to better control the infestation build up.
On low-height or creeping plants, regulate the pressure and nozzle orientation to achieve full coverage.
On crops with vertical growth, target the basal foliage to control the juveniles and higher leaves against adults.

Thrips
Target juveniles and adults.
Set the spraying action to reach flowers and wet the vegetation thoroughly.
Consider applying in combination with predator insects, such as Orius laevigatus, Amblyseius cucumeris, Amblyseius montdorensis, Amblyseius swirskii.

Mites
Wet the vegetation with suitable volume on both sides of the leaves.
Consider applying in combination with phytoseids mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, Amblyseilus californicus.

Psyllids
Monitor the presence of Anthocorids and treat when they are well established.

Leafhoppers
Achieve a complete wetting of the suckers (Scaphoideus titanus).
Remove weeds along the vine row before application to ensure wetting of suckers.

Scales and Mealybugs
Regulate volume and spraying pressure to enable the spray solution to penetrate the vegetation and fruit, where individuals are hidden.
Be careful of any undesired effect on fruits and grapes, avoiding treatment at the highest temperature and runoff of product to the bottom of berries.