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New Hampshire

Has anybody heard of Imidacloprid (Merit,Admire Ect.) causing stunted fruit growth? The last two years since using Imidacloprid, I have some fruit growth coming to a hault in early to mid August. Plants look healthy and have been baffled by it. A respected grower who has had the same problem in his patch suspects Imidacloprid. Meds for people have side effects, can this be a side effect to some fruit? Any studies ,taughts or similar hunches? Tried to find some info on Google but no luck.

1/25/2006 7:43:02 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

The only stunting that I have seen has been in the first cotyledon stage. The leaves curled up but once the primary leaves come out the plants are off and running. 2005 was my second year using Admire and it was my best year so far. My fruits stopped growing for other reasons (splits, pinhole in blossom end, etc) by end of Aug. So if it stunts the fruit growth I can not say.

An Ohio State University Professor told me that using Imidacloprid stays only in the "green" area of the plant (roots, leaves and vines) it does not enter the fruit itself. That is why Admire can be registered for so many cash crops.

1/25/2006 8:41:08 PM

San Diego

I used merit for the first time ever and had my best year ever, no fruit stunting or loss of growth late, my fruit actually grew too fast and split at an est 950 and weighed 861. Hope you find out what's causing this to happen for you. Jimmy

1/25/2006 8:46:42 PM

[email protected]

Hey Jim,

If growth is stalling consistantly in August I would suspect a vascular disease like Fusarium.

There is no published data to this effect that I am aware of. As the largest Imidacloprid salesperson (in the US) 2 years in a row, I would probably hear about growth inhibition if it was being detected.

Steve

1/25/2006 10:36:40 PM

Utah

I've used it the last two years in Granular Merit form to help control squash bugs. No stunting here.

1/26/2006 9:35:57 AM

New Hampshire

Thanks Guys, I can't detect any disease symptoms, just some fruit hitting a wall. This has happened in two diffrent patches. Just tossing darts at the answer board.??? Jim

1/26/2006 9:07:27 PM