Instructions for using the Skor fungicide for treating grapes

"Skor" for all grape varieties: the instructions describe it as an effective systemic contact fungicide. It is essential for the preventative and treatment of various diseases that arise during the growth and development of grapes and other plants. To ensure maximum effectiveness, "Skor" must be properly prepared and applied to grapes, strictly following all instructions.

Description and effect of the drug

"Skor" is a fungicide belonging to the triazole class of chemicals. It is produced as an emulsifiable concentrate. Its active ingredient, difenoconazole (25%), is used to treat grapevine diseases and is effective against rubella, powdery mildew, black rot, and Phomopsis. "Skor" is available in vials; it is also available prepackaged in vials or as ampoule solutions.

Analogues

The drug has many analogues, the main ones are:

• "Strobie";
• Thiovit;
• Horus.

They have a similar effect to "Skor", but also have certain disadvantages and advantages.

Horus

The fungicide "Horus" is used to treat grapevine diseases of infectious and fungal origin. It effectively combats:

• leaf curl;
• fruit rot;
• scab;
• gray mold and other common diseases of grape vines.

Among the advantages it is worth noting:

• cost-effectiveness in use and practical packaging;
• has both a therapeutic and protective effect;
• compatible with other pesticides;
• effective even at very low ambient temperatures, minimum operating temperature is 3 degrees;
• is able to penetrate into young foliage 3 hours after using the product.

Horus also has some disadvantages that should be taken into account before use:

• has maximum effect only on young foliage;
• the greatest positive result is visible only at average temperature values;
• has a local effect - it does not penetrate all grape tissues.

Thiovit

Thiovit has received positive reviews from experienced gardeners. It effectively protects grapevines from various diseases thanks to its ability to kill pathogens on plants. The product protects grapes for up to 10 days (depending on the severity of the infestation and weather conditions). It does an excellent job, preserving the harvest.

The main advantages of the drug "Tiovit":

• not flammable;
• has a long shelf life - on average up to 3 years;
• It works for a short period of time after treatment, so it is possible to collect and consume the harvest;
• is not phytotoxic.

Spraying with Thiovit is not done in hot weather because it contains sulfur, which can burn berries and leaves. The most suitable temperature is 15 degrees Celsius. Spray the grapes so that the leaves are completely covered with the solution. Apply carefully to prevent the solution from dripping onto the soil.

Strobie

Strobi is sold as granules that are dissolved in water. The solution is prepared immediately before spraying, following all the recommended guidelines.

The prepared mixture is most effective for about 2 hours, it is important to use it within this time.

Advantages of Strobi fungicide:

• inexpensive;
• non-phytotoxic;
• does not harm bees;
• used even during the flowering period of the plant;
• tolerates sudden changes in temperature and precipitation;
• acts quickly on grapes;
• even if the mixture is applied only to one side, it spreads over the entire surface of the leaves and affects the entire leaf;
• has a wide range of uses.

"Stroby" has one drawback: it is extremely toxic. Before working with it, safety precautions should be followed. To do this, wear protective goggles, protective clothing, and gloves to prevent the solution from coming into contact with your skin.

Purpose of use

Skor is most often used as a preventative measure. It is also effective against scab and rot in the early stages of infection.

Prevention of fungal diseases

You can't save grapevines from diseases by spraying them once with a specific product or a tank mix that can kill various types of diseases. Effective treatments for fungal infections have not yet been developed. The most effective method is preventative measures.

The instructions for using "Skor" for grapes recommend using it for preventative purposes. Applying the product twice before and twice after flowering is sufficient.

Treatment

Without preventative measures, grapes can become susceptible to various diseases. It's important to detect symptoms early and begin treatment immediately. No more than four sprayings are recommended throughout the season.

Storage rules

To preserve the medication's chemical properties, store it in a cool, dark, and dry place. The air temperature should be between -5 and +35°C (23 to 95°F). A sealed product has a shelf life of no more than 3 years. Once unpacked, store it no longer than the end of the season, maintaining maximum airtightness.

Advantages and disadvantages

The fungicide is distinguished by:

• ease of use;
• permitted for use during any phase of grape growth (except during the berry harvest period);
• has the maximum effect in protecting plants from the most dangerous diseases (in comparison with other triazoles);
• has low toxicity and causes almost no harm to people and the environment;
• compared to other agents, it causes low resistance in pathogens;
• In addition to treatment, it has additional properties (its use has a beneficial effect on increasing the yield, and it keeps the leaves green for a longer period of time);
• not affected by wind and precipitation;
• penetrates into the green tissues of grapes.

However, this remedy has some disadvantages:

• inconvenient release form (some concentrate remains at the bottom of the ampoule, which has to be thrown away because it cannot be extracted);
• The effectiveness of "Skor" decreases when the temperature readings decrease;
• In recent years, an increase in resistance to the active substance of the powdery mildew pathogen has been observed;
• unable to combat rust fungi;
• long waiting period (up to 20 days);
• compared to similar substances, it is distinguished by a high consumption of concentrate (considering its high cost).

How to prepare a solution for treating grapes

A solution for treating grape bushes is prepared by dissolving the preparation (5 ml) in water (10 liters). This amount is enough for 100 square meters (1 liter per bush). The water for the mixture should not be too hot, but not too cold. The ideal temperature is 25 degrees Celsius.

Application

Like other similar grapevine disease protection products, this product produces positive results when used strictly according to the instructions. This includes the timing and order of use. "Skor" should not be used with alkaline chemicals. The instructions for use depend on the disease being treated and the type of plant being treated.

Primary processing

The initial treatment with "Skor" is performed immediately after the first symptoms of the disease are detected, or when the initial incubation period has ended. It is also performed as a preventative measure when the vine has grown 20 cm.

Secondary

Secondary treatment is necessary for prevention. It is carried out 7 days before the plant begins to bloom, during the bud formation period.

Third

A third treatment is carried out to protect future fruit immediately after flowering. If the grapes have already been affected by the disease, a second treatment is carried out during the cluster closure period.

The product has a positive effect on grapevine growth and development. Increased bush volume and shoot length are observed.

Safety precautions

Skor is a mild poison. It poses no significant harm to human health, has no psychological impact, does not burn the skin, and does not irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes.

There are no special precautions for this product. However, when handling plants, wear a respirator and special gloves. A hat should also be worn to prevent the product from settling on your hair.

Do not smoke or eat while operating the sprayer. If the product gets into your mouth, you should immediately perform gastric lavage at home and then seek medical attention. If you handle the product according to all manufacturer's recommendations and handle plants with care, moderate phytotoxicity will not occur.

Tips and recommendations

Before applying Skor to grapes, you should properly set up the sprayer. It's important to consider the solution flow rate, how evenly the liquid is distributed, and the sprayer's movement. Then, adjust the volume of the mixture based on the application rate per vine.

The best time to treat grape vines is between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Windless, dry weather with temperatures no higher than 25 degrees Celsius is considered optimal. After finishing work, thoroughly rinse the device with water and clean the filters.

Before using the product, carefully read the instructions. To avoid resistance, treat the plant with the fungicide, alternating it with other treatments (at intervals of at least 8 days).