Request for Information from Western Region on PCNB Use on Ornamentals

Date: Feb. 7, 2005

To: Rick Melnicoe
Director, Western Integrated Pest Management Center
Director, Office of Pesticide Information and Coordination (UC Statewide
Pesticide Coordinator)
University of California
Davis, CA 95616-8588

From: Kent L. Smith, Ph.D.
Plant Pathologist
Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP)
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
USDA

PCNB is a fungicide used primarily as a seed treatment, soil drench or spray to control damping-off, stem rots, and root rots. EPA is at the stage of reregistration of PCNB where they must explore both the risks and the benefits of PCNB use of each labeled crop/site. Their goal is to create as little economic impact as possible, yet achieve the desired level of risk mitigation.

They have requested information about the critical nature of pest control with PCNB on the following sites.

• cotton
• garlic
• ornamentals (nursery and non-nursery)
• peanuts
• peppers
• potatoes
• snapbeans (foliar applications especially)
• soybeans
• tomatoes
• turf (residential, commercial, residential, golf course, etc.)

Could you forward this request to the appropriate experts in each state in your region? Please ask them to send me any information about the critical nature of pest control with PCNB on any of the above sites. If possible, please indicate the:

1. Crop and pest that are critical
2. Why it is critical
3. The needed rate of application
4. The approximate percent crop acreage treated in your region (indicate the region)
5. Alternative tools available to manage the pest problem and their usefulness
6. Your association and contact information

I will collate your answers and forward them to EPA. However, If you would like to speak directly to the review manager for PCNB at the EPA, contact: Jill Bloom, 703-308-8019, She will be happy to talk with you.

Thank you,

Kent L. Smith, Ph.D.
Plant Pathologist
Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP)
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
1400 Independence Ave, SW
Room 3859, South Ag Building
Washington, DC 20250-0315
Phone: (202) 720-3186
Fax: (202) 720-3191
Web site