THE POPCORN AGRI-CHEMICAL HANDBOOK
Published by the Popcorn Board
2008 EditionIntroduction
How to Use This Handbook
Crop Safety
Disclaimer
The Popcorn Agri-Chemical Handbook
INTRODUCTION
The Popcorn Board developed this Agri-Chemical Handbook to help everyone in the popcorn industry remain informed about the status of pesticide products that are registered for use on popcorn or in popcorn storage facilities. (“Pesticide” includes insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and growth regulators.)
The proper use of pesticides is of critical importance to the popcorn industry. The Popcorn Board is committed to ensuring that popcorn remains safe and healthful and retains the full confidence of consumers. To that end this Handbook not only lists agri-chemicals registered for use on popcorn or in storage facilities, but also indicates where special use restrictions apply, or if a chemical is under special review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This Handbook is not a substitute for the labeling of a pesticide; the labeling should be consulted for particular limitations on use, instructions on how the product should be applied, warnings and precautions, and the like.
Likewise, the fact that a pesticide appears in this Handbook does not necessarily mean that the pesticide is approved for use on popcorn in all situations or all areas of the U.S. Other limitations may appear on the label (e.g., “for use only in Illinois and Indiana”) or be imposed by state regulations. Readers also should be aware that some fumigants and insecticides are for use only on empty storage areas or as preplant soil fumigants and that most fungicides are registered for use as a seed treatment only. Growers should also check labels for any rotational restrictions limiting how soon popcorn can be planted following the application of a herbicide.
Also included (as Appendix III) is a model “grower’s permanent record of chemical pesticide application.” We strongly recommend that every grower maintain an accurate record of all pesticides used.
For some pesticides, the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) and some foreign governments have established Maximum residue limits (MRLs) specifying limits on the residues of these pesticides permitted in products placed on the market. Exporters should be aware that foreign MRLs are not always the same as US EPA MRLs. Appendix II lists the US EPA, Codex Alimentarius, and Japanese MRLs. While the Codex limits, developed by the World Health Organization, are used by most importing countries, there are exceptions, among which Japan is prominent. Exporters should check with their overseas marketers to be certain they are aware of the standards applicable in these markets
HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK
This manual has been designed as a working document with indexes and cross-references. Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, soil fumigants, products for structural treatment, and miscellaneous products (growth regulators and nitrogen stabilizers) are listed separately. Special use restrictions, expected changes in registration or any special review at EPA is noted under “comments” on each specific chemical.
For labeling purposes, “corn” includes “popcorn”. If a product’s label says that the product is approved for use on “corn” or “corn grain,” that approval includes popcorn unless the label expressly excludes popcorn grain. “Field corn” or “sweet corn” on a label is specific to those varieties.
All pesticide labels and registration status are under continuous review by Federal and State agencies. Therefore, all growers are cautioned to contact their pesticide suppliers for the most current information, including supplemental labeling. It is a violation of Federal law to use any pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. PESTICIDES MUST BE USED ONLY WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE LABEL.
Unless otherwise noted, if the manual says that products containing an ingredient are “Restricted Use Pesticides,” the restriction on use is that the products may be used only under the supervision of a certified applicator.
We strongly urge popcorn processors to coordinate legal and safe chemical use with your growers. For your protection, we recommend that you require growers to keep a written record of chemicals used and submit that information prior to your receipt of their popcorn. A sample Record of Chemical Pesticide Application is included in Appendix III.
CROP SAFETY
The Agri-Chemical Handbook has been developed to help popcorn growers identify pesticides that may be used in growing popcorn. These products are registered by the manufacturers with the EPA as products that may be used safely.
However, using a product safely depends on following the manufacturer’s label directions.Plant damage may occur if label directions are not followed. Labels have specific instructions covering the use of the pesticide under a number of conditions including the following:
- Maximum use rates
- Soil pH limitations
- Geographic limitations
- Crop rotation guidelines following prior application of a soil insecticide or a herbicide
- Weather effects (drought or heavy rainfall)
- Compatibility with other products
- Compaction conditions
- Drainage conditions
- Recropping intervals
- Temperature
Labels may include information that directs the grower to seek additional information from the seed producer or the contracting company before using the pesticide. An example of this type of wording is found in the DuPont Accent label, as follows:
Many seed companies have tested yellow popcorn hybrids for sensitivity to ACCENT and have reported excellent safety. Do not apply ACCENT to any white popcorn inbred or white popcorn hybrid unless specifically approved by the seed company. This includes “White Dynamite” popcorn.
Processors are likely to receive calls from growers prompted by this or similar language.
Please read and follow label directions to reduce the risk of plant damage.
DISCLAIMER
This list of chemicals was designed to assist you and is not an endorsement of any product. In some cases, particularly those where the active ingredient is no longer protected by the patent and a number of similar products are marketed by different registrants, we may not have listed every registered product that may be used on popcorn. Omission of any such product from the list is not intended to suggest that it cannot or should not be used on popcorn; these products can be used if the label includes instructions for use on “corn” or “popcorn”.
The information in this Handbook was gathered by the Popcorn Board from pesticide registrants, EPA publications and trade publications. The Board believes the information to be accurate at the time it was published, but cannot and does not warrant or guarantee that all the information in the Handbook is accurate.
We strongly suggest, as an added precaution, that you check with local, state and county authorities to determine whether they have imposed restrictions on pesticide use that differ from those imposed by the EPA.
The Popcorn Board hereby disclaims any and all responsibility or liability, which may be asserted or claimed arising from, or claimed to have arisen from, reliance upon the information contained herein by any entity or person.
