PESTICIDE REGISTRATION PROGRAM

Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences (PEPS)
College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources (CTAHR)
University of Hawaii at Manoa

PROGRAM PERSONNEL

  • Hawaii Field Research Center
    • Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng, Principal Investigator
    • Dr. Mike Kawate, Specialist Emeritus
    • Julia Coughlin, IR-4 State Liaison Representative, Field Research Director, Entomologist
    • James Kam, Field Research Director, Horticulturist

TOPICS

REGISTRATION OF PESTICIDES FOR USE IN MINOR CROPS

INTERREGIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT NO. 4 (IR-4) 

PESTICIDE REGISTRATION PROGRAM'S PROJECT UPDATES 

ONGOING PROJECTS

COMPLETED PROJECTS AWAITING TOLERANCE ESTABLISHMENT OR REGISTRATION

REREGISTRATION PROJECTS SUPPORTED

 

REGISTRATION OF PESTICIDES FOR USE IN MINOR CROPS

Pests (e.g., insects, weeds, and diseases) can severely reduce growers' yields and increase the cost of production. Although cultural, physical, mechanical, and biological methods of pest control may be available, they may not individually or collectively be feasible for the grower to implement. Chemicals (i.e., pesticides) are another tool growers can use to mitigate losses due to pests. However, growers cannot use just any pesticide; the crop on which the pesticide will be applied must be listed on the pesticide product's label. And for food crops, a tolerance must first be established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before a chemical company can list a crop grown for food on a pesticide product's label. A tolerance is the maximum amount of pesticide residue than can remain in or on a crop at the time of harvest. Once the tolerance is established, the crop can be included on the pesticide's label along with the specific directions for use. Only then can growers legally use the pesticide for use on the crop. The process is very costly, complex ,and time-consuming. It is estimated that a minimum of six years is required, if all goes well, to successfully register a pesticide for use in a minor crop. 

INTERREGIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT NO. 4 (IR-4)

IR-4 is a USDA-supported program that provides limited funding and a mechanism to register pesticides for use in minor crops. Registering a pesticide use in a minor crop involves generating efficacy, phytotoxicity (crop safety), and residue data, preparing a tolerance petition, paying tolerance review fees, etc., which is a costly process. Sales of pesticide product from many minor crop registrations would not recover the costs associated with obtaining the registrations. Therefore, although the need for a pesticide exists in minor crops, registrants (chemical companies) are reluctant to register the use if no return on their investment is projected. IR-4 was established in 1963 to provide some incentive for registrants to register pesticides for use in minor crops. 

PROJECT UPDATES

The following tables provide updates of various pesticide registration projects (efficacy and residue) in Hawai'i. 
NOTE: Blue text identifies new or updated information.

Pesticide Registration Program - Ongoing Projects

CROP

PESTICIDE (trade name)

NOTES

banana

acequinocyl (Kanemite)

Field residue trials completed. Laboratory analysis ongoing (08/16).

banana

diquat (Reglone)

Final report signed and ready for EPA submission (08/16).

banana

fenpyroximate (Fujimite)

Final report signed and ready for EPA submission (11/16).

banana

penthiopyrad (Fontelis)

HI (3) and PR (2) field residue trials completed (03/16). Laboratory analysis completed (09/17). For black leaf streak control.

banana

glufosinate (Rely)

For 2018; 8 field trials, HI (4), FL/PR (4). Might need to conduct over 2 years. Paraquat alternative; for glyphosate-resistant weeds. Field residue trials (4) scheduled in 2018.

banana

spirodiclofen (Envidor)

HI (3) field residue trials completed; FL (2) field residue trials completed. Laboratory analysis probably won’t go forward; Bayer CS concern with EPA proposed label changes.

coffee

numerous insecticides

Laboratory bioassays for CBB completed until additional new insecticides with activity against beetles/borers are found.

coffee

2,4-D (Weedar 64)

2 years crop safety trials (3 sites) completed, summer 2016. Completed reports will be submitted to the 2,4-D Task Force for review. Earliest possible year to vie for residue study is 2019. 2,4-D Task Force approved project.

coffee

azoxystrobin+cyproconazole (Quadris Xtra)

Field residue trials completed in December 2017.

coffee

bifenthrin (Talstar)

Received “A” priority at the IR-4 Food Use Workshop for 2018. Field residue trials (3, which include processing and decline studies) scheduled for 2018.

coffee

cyantraniliprole (Cyazypyr)

HI and PR field residue trials completed. For CBB control. Residue analysis completed. Final report signed and ready for submission to EPA. Tolerance petition submitted to EPA, 10/17.

coffee

flupyradifurone (Sivanto)

HI (2 additional trials ongoing in 2017 for Codex MRL). Green scale control; small window of opportunity to register this use. Conducted IR-4 E/CS trial in 2017; found Sivanto to be very effective against the green scale; no phytotoxicity to coffee.

coffee

glufosinate (Rely)

Efficacy trial completed. IR-4 project proposed. Glufosinate might be back on the table. Agents on Kauai currently running an E/CS trial at Kauai Coffee Co. (2016). Bayer CS required E/CS data concurrently with residue trials. High priority for Kauai Coffee Co.; paraquat alternative. One field E/CS trial (Kauai) submitted to Bayer CS.

coffee

indoxacarb (Avaunt)

Residue analyses complete. Study Director to draft final report.

coffee

oxyfluorfen (GoalTender)

For over-the-top vine control; oxyfluorfen residues found in coffee green bean (RAC). Tolerance petition ready for submission. Project indefinitely suspended due to residues.

corn, seed

imidacloprid (Admire Pro)

All field trials (4, over 2 years) completed as of 05/16. Residue analyses ongoing. To remove the food/feed restriction on the 24(c) label. Project on-hold due to EPA’s position on bee toxicity.

dragon fruit

azoxystrobin+difenoconazole (Quadris Top)

All field residue trials completed. Residue analyses ongoing. For Bipolaris cactivora, anthracnose, fruit rots.

ginger

glufosinate (Rely), carfentrazone (Aim), pyraflufen (ET)

Efficacy trial completed. IR-4 project proposed.

guava

acequinocyl (Kanemite)

HI (1) field residue trial completed, 2014. FL (1) and PR (2) field residue trials completed, 2014. Laboratory analysis ongoing. Final report signed; ready for submission to EPA. Tolerance petition submitted to EPA 05/17; tolerance proposed 10/17, reduced risk classification granted 09/17; awaiting final rule.

guava

clofentezine (Apollo)

Final report signed; ready for submission to EPA. For mite control.

guava

diquat (Reglone)

Final report signed; ready for submission to EPA. For Parthenium weed control. (Cooperating with FL.)

guava

glufosinate (Rely)

Field residue trial (1) scheduled for 2018. Postemergence weed control.

guava

lambda cyhalothrin+thiamethoxam (Tandem)

HI (1) field residue trial completed; FL (2) and PR (1) field residue trials completed. Laboratory residue analysis complete. Final report signed; ready for submission to EPA.

guava

propamocarb (Previcur Flex)

Final report under review with QA and manufacturer.

guava

mancozeb

Field residue trial completed, 2007. Study canceled.

lychee

acequinocyl (Kanemite)

HI (1) field residue trial completed, 2014; FL (2), PR (1) field residue trials ongoing, 2014. Tolerance petition submitted to EPA 05/17; tolerance proposed 10/17, reduced risk classification granted 09/17; awaiting final rule.

lychee

diquat (Reglone)

HI (1) field residue trial completed, 2014; FL (1) field residue trial completed, 2014, PR (2) field residue trials ongoing, 2014. Final report signed; tolerance petition ready for submission to EPA.

lychee

glufosinate (Rely)

Field residue trial (1) scheduled for 2018. Postemergence weed control.

lychee

novaluron (Rimon)

HI (1) field residue trial completed, 2013; FL (2), PR (1) field residue trials completed, 2014. Laboratory residue analysis ongoing. Final report signed; tolerance petition ready for submission to EPA.

mamaki

glyphosate (Roundup)

ChemSAC (EPA) proposal was successful; but, need mfr approval. IR-4 will be submitting tolerance petition with bulb onion and chili pepper.

papaya

fluazinam (Omega)

Cooperative project with FL and PR. HI (2) field residue trials in 2016-2017. Anthracnose control. Residue study complete.

papaya

fluorpyram + trifloxystrobin (Luna Sensation)

Back on track for 2017. Asperisporium black spot control. Residue study complete with on-going trials.

papaya

pyrethrins+PBO

Do we need to maintain registration for organic papaya growers? No response from HI growers. EPA caution (hold).

papaya

glufosinate (Rely), carfentrazone (Aim), pyraflufen (ET)

Efficacy trial completed. IR-4 project proposed. Glufosinate might be back on the table (2016).

papaya

QGU42 (oxathiapiprolin)

Efficacy against Phytophthora, greenhouse test completed. Researchable IR-4 project, 2014; high priority for 2015. Papaya is not a representative commodity for crop grouping, so the residue trials will be done on pomegranate in 2015 and avocado in 2016. All residue data received at IR-4 HQs.

papaya

pyraclostrobin + boscalid (Pristine)

Field phytoxocity tests for BASF; 1 field trial completed (Hilo, winter), 1 field trial ongoing, 2012 (Waimanalo, summer). Very slight chlorotic spots on exaggerated rate treatments; too much phyto for BASF.

papaya

fluazifop (Fusilade)

Need identified for Chloris radiata control, 06/12. Need E/CS data. Ran 3 field efficacy and crop safety trials in HI. HI (2) field residue trials completed, 2014; FL (2) and PR (1) field residue trials completed. Field residue trials in CR? Tolerance petition to be tentatively submitted in mid-2017.

papaya

tolfenpyrad (Apta), fenpropathrin (Danitol), cyantraniliprole (Cyazypyr)

Field efficacy for thrips ongoing in Haleiwa, 2012. Need to nominate (cyantraniliprole) as high priority for IR-4 project in 2015. Cyantraniliprole project (11300) is researchable, but mfr wants 2 more E/CS trials before registering.

pineapple

flupyradifurone (Sivanto)

HI (3, including a processing study) field residue trials ongoing (fall 2016). Mealybug control; small window of opportunity to register this use. Complete with on-going trials.

taro

glufosinate (Rely), carfentrazone (Aim), pyraflufen (ET)

Efficacy trial completed IR-4 project proposed. Glufosinate might be back on the table, but this project is still under evaluation (2016).

tropical fruits

indoxacarb (Avaunt/Provaunt)

For little fire ant control in edible crops (e.g., tropical fruits). Need to address food use and nonfood use registrations held by different companies. Currently a difficult situation to resolve (09/16). Efficacy and crop safety data needed.

tropical fruits

metaflumizone (Altrevin)

For little fire ant control in edible crops (e.g., tropical fruits). Efficacy and crop safety data needed. Possible collaboration with the Hawaii Ant Lab (11/16). On-going E/CS trials.

 

Pesticide Registration Program - Completed Projects Awaiting Tolerance Establishment

CROP

PESTICIDE (trade name)

 

banana

bifenazate (Acramite)

Final report signed, ready for EPA submission (08/12).

cacao

mefenoxam (Ridomil)

For black pod rot. Efficacy and crop safety data needed. Codex MRL exists, being revalidated by mfr. ChemSAC proposal accepted for US tolerance, 09/16; pursue US tolerance with no-data petition. Tolerance petition submitted, 08/17. PRIA date: 01/02/19. Still need E/CS data to label the use in cacao.

coffee

pyrethrins+PBO (Evergreen)

Field and residue data sent to mfr for submission (02/16). (Already labeled for use in the US.) Problem: no MRL for PBO in coffee imported into Japan from HI; violative residues found. Mfr working with Japan authorities with IR-4 residue data to establish MRL for PBO in coffee.

guava

difenoconazole (Inspire)

Notice of filing, 06/16. Proposed rule, 10/16.

lychee, guava

spirodiclofen (Envidor)

Field residue trial (1) completed, 2007. Cooperative project with FL (2); mite control. Tolerance petition submitted 12/10, tolerance proposed 03/11, tolerance petition withdrawn by Bayer CS, 04/14, due to concern with proposed EPA label changes.

papaya

difenoconazole (Inspire)

HI (2) field residue trials completed, 2012; FL (2) field residue trials completed, 2012. Efficacy and crop safety trials ongoing in FL. Blossom blight and anthracnose control. Notice of filing, 06/16. Proposed rule: 10/16. EPA PRIA date: 12/17.

papaya

pyraclostrobin + boscalid (Pristine)

Tolerances established 03/24/08. Efficacy data provided, but BASF wants more phytotoxicity data; tolerance covered by avocado. Possibly add to label in 2013. BASF will not pursue due to crop safety concerns, 2013.

peach palm (pejibaye)

oxyfluorfen (Goal)

Tolerance petition submission to EPA (09/07); risk cup is full; therefore all potential new uses on hold. Tolerance petition withdrawn, 01/08.

persimmon

pyraclostrobin + boscalid (Pristine)

Field residue trial (1) completed, 2007. Residue analyses completed. BASF requiring additional efficacy and phytotoxicity data to label.

pineapple

1,3-dichloropropene (Cordon)

Tolerance proposed, 09/13. For in-crop use; nematode control. Tolerance petition withdrawn by mfr due to concerns with proposed EPA label changes.

taro

zoxamide (Gavel)

Project completed but on-hold because mancozeb tolerance needed. Manufacturer will not support, 03/05.

ti

oxyfluorfen (Goal)

Field residue trials (2) completed. Residue analyses completed, 2011. Final report signed; ready for submission.

 

 

Pesticide Registration Program - Reregistration Projects Supported

CROP

PESTICIDE (trade name)

banana

diuron (Karmex)

Registration maintained.

coffee

oxyfluorfen (Goal)

Registration maintained.

coffee

fluazifop (Fusilade)

Residue trial (1) completed in 2008 to maintain existing field use rate.

guava

malathion

Registration maintained.

macadamia

malathion

Registration maintained.

papaya

malathion

Registration maintained.

passion fruit

malathion

Registration maintained.

pineapple

malathion

Registration maintained.

watercress

diazinon (DZN AG500)

Registration maintained; eventually canceled by EPA, May 2006.

watercress

malathion

Registration maintained.

 

 

Pesticide Registration Program - Successes

CROP

PESTICIDE (trade name)

 

banana

spirotetramat (Movento)

Banana aphid control.

banana

oxyfluorfen (Goal)

Directed, preemergence weed control.

banana

spinosad (Entrust, Success)

Thrips and caterpillar control.

banana

imidacloprid (Provado, Admire)

Banana aphid control.

basil

metalaxyl (Ridomil)

Pre-, at-, and post-plant applications.

cabbage, chinese

copper hydroxide (Kocide), mefenoxam (Ridomil), azoxystrobin (Amistar), etc.

Efficacy against white rust.

cacao

oxathiapiprolin (Orondis, Zorvec)

For black pod rot. Efficacy and crop safety data needed. Codex MRL exists, being revalidated by mfr. Tolerance established: 09/17. Label ready, but need E/CS data. E/CS trials conducted in Hilo in 2016 and 2018, but disease pressure was too high to demonstrate efficacy.  2018 greenhouse efficacy trial ongoing.

coffee

buprofezin (Applaud)

Mealybug and green scale control.

coffee

ethephon (Ethrel)

Harvest aid. Awaiting label from manufacturer (MANA?).

coffee

imidacloprid (Provado, Admire)

Green scale control.

coffee

indaziflam (Alion)

Preemergence weed control.

coffee

glyphosate (Roundup)

Postemergence weed control; shortened PHI to 1 day.

coffee

spirotetramat (Movento)

Green Control Center

coffee

spinosad (Entrust SC)

Lepidopterous larvae and coffee leafminer.

coffee

spinetoram (Delegate)

Lepidopterous larvae and coffee leafminer.

durian, mangosteen, rambutan, etc.

glyphosate (Roundup)

Postemergence weed control.

ginger

paraquat (Gramoxone)

Postemergence weed control.

green onion

cyromazine (Trigard)

Leafminer control.

Indian mulberry (noni)

carfentrazone (Aim)

Broadleaf weed control.

Indian mulberry (noni)

glyphosate (Roundup)

Postemergence weed control.

kava

flupyradifurone (Sivanto)

Piercing-sucking insect control.

kava

imidacloprid (Provado, Admire)

Aphid control.

macadamia

fosetyl-Al (Aliette)

Phytophthora control.

peach palm (pejibaye)

glyphosate (Roundup)

Postemergence weed control.

papaya, guava

cyprodinil+fludioxonil (Switch)

Anthracnose control; provided efficacy and crop safety data on papaya to support this use. Conducted field residue trials (HI:4) on guava to support this use. Switch recently (Aug 2016) received conditional approval for use in HI as a non-RUP, but because fludioxonil has HI State-RUP status, when the HAR are revised, Switch will become a State-RUP.

papaya

methxoyfenozide (Intrepid)

Lepitopteran pests.

papaya

fludioxonil (Scholar)

Post-harvest treatment for disease control.

papaya

fenpropathrin (Danitol)

Aphids, whiteflies, mites, thrips.

papaya

flupyradifurone (Sivanto)

Piercing-sucking insect control.

papaya

cyprodinil + fludioxonil (Switch)

Anthracnose control. (Switch not yet licensed for sale in HI; will probably be classified as a state-RUP.)

papaya

triflumizole (Procure)

Powdery mildew control.

papaya

trifloxystrobin (Flint)

Powdery mildew control

papaya, lychee, etc.

bifenazate (Acramite)

Mite control.

papaya, mango, etc.

myclobutanil (Rally)

Powdery mildew control.

papaya

imidacloprid (Provado/Admire)

Sucking insect control.

papaya

mefenoxam (Ridomil Gold) and mefenoxam + copper hydroxide (Ridomil Gold Copper)

Phytophthora control.

papaya

permethrin (Pounce, Ambush)

Leafhopper control; supported a 24(c) registration (now canceled).

papaya

malathion (Aquamul), oil (Biocover)

Efficacy demonstration of registered insecticides against white peach scale.

papaya

buprofezin (Applaud)

White peach scale and papaya mealybug control.

papaya

post-emergence broadleaf herbicide

Whitehead broom (Spermacoce verticillata) problem in the Hilo district, Wainaku area. Glyphosate not effective; may need to evaluate adjuvants and/or tank mixes with other registered herbicides. Glyphosate+oxyfluorfen and glyphosate+diuron tank mixes were effective against whitehead broom.

papaya

spirodiclofen (Envidor)

Edgeroller mite control.

persimmon

azoxystrobin (Quadris)

Crop group registration (me, too); leaf spot control.

persimmon

chlorothalonil (Bravo)

Cercospora leaf spot control.

persimmon

clofentezine (Apollo)

Eriophyid mite control.

persimmon

copper hydroxide (Kocide)

Efficacy and phytotoxicity trial conducted in HI supports the current registration.

persimmon

imidacloprid (Provado, Admire)

Mealybug and scale control; covered with papaya data.

pineapple

abamectin (Agri-Mek)

Mites. Tolerance established 05/02/16; new label (e.g., Agri-mek) with pineapple now available.

pineapple

fludioxonil (Scholar)

Penicillium mold and Cladosporium post-harvest disease control.

pineapple

fludioxonil + propiconazole (Chairman)

Need identified for post-harvest control of Penicillium spp. and Chalara paradoxa, 05/12. Efficacy trial planned for winter 2016. Completed E/CS trial for Syngenta in 2017; but, already labeled.

pineapple

propiconazole (Tilt)

Seed-piece and post-harvest dip. Syngenta decided not to support this use. All work was completed and tolerance established.

pineapple

quizalofop (Assure)

Postemergence grass control.

pineapple

triflumizole (Procure)

Chalara paradox control. Crown and slip seed piece dip.

pineapple

spinetoram (Radiant)

Lepidopteran larvae suppression. No-data petition using spinosad tolerance.

pineapple

spinosad (Entrust)

Pineapple use on Entrust label; lepidopteran larvae suppression.

pineapple

spirotetramat (Movento)

Mealybug control (and PMWaV).

rambutan

NAA (Fruitone L)

For production of male flowers on female trees to aid pollination. Trees naturally dioecious.

taro

cyazofamid (Ranman)

Phytophthora leaf blight. For corm consumption only, not leaves (no tolerance for leaves). Root crop group tolerance.

taro

mefenoxam (Ridomil Gold)

Soil drench.

taro

azoxystrobin (Amistar)

Registered with tuber and corm crop group.

taro

dimethomorph (Acrobat)

Need to register alternating fungicide for this fungicide to be useful.

taro

imidacloprid (Admire)

Soil application only. Root aphid control.

taro

imidacloprid (Provado)

Foliar application for aphids; luau leaf production.

taro

spirotetramat (Movento)

Piercing-sucking insect control. Corms and leaves.

taro, wetland

metaldehyde (Deadline)

For apple snail control.

ti

glyphosate (Roundup)

Crop group registration (me, too); nonselective postemergence weed control.

ti

azoxystrobin (Quadris), propiconazole (Tilt)

Leaf spots. Tolerances for ti, leaves and roots established 12/09/15; however, new label (e.g., Quadris) with ti, leaves and roots, not yet available. Tolerances for ti palm, leaves and roots established 12/22/15; however, new label (e.g., Tilt) with ti palm, leaves and roots, not yet available in HI (but available on CDMS).

ti, leaves only

spinosad (Success)

Lepidopteran larvae, leafminers, thrips. In leaves of root and tuber vegetables (tolerance is for ti leaves only, not for ti roots).

tropical fruits

fenpropathrin (Danitol)

Includes papaya. Cooperative project with FL.

various orchard crops

hydramethylnon (Amdro)

Ant control in bait stations; and, fostered registration of the broadcast application in pineapple.

watercress

azoxystrobin (Amistar)

Leaf spot control (cooperative project with FL).

watercress

imidacloprid (Provado)

Foliar application only. Garden fleahopper control.

watercress

dinotefuran (Venom)

Leafhopper control (Aster yellows mycoplasma vector).

watercress

spirotetramat (Movento)

Aphids. (Residue data generated by FL and MD, not HI.)

watercress, dryland

malathion

Efficacy demonstration of malathion against plant hopper.

 


spirotetramat (Movento)