Plant Safety tests for pesticide OFB Eden

Phytotoxicity screens were conducted at the suggested label rate (3 00: 1) and 2X the label rate (ISO: 1), to assess plant safety of "OFB Eden" for use as a pesticide on bedding and potted ornamental greenhouse crops. Evaluations were conducted in a non-producing commercial greenhouse in Sacramento, California. Two applications of "OFB Eden" were made at the two different concentrations, the first on 28 January and the second on I I February 2000.

Five days after each application the test plants were assessed for the presence of aesthetic damage to leaves or flowers and for effects on plant growth or plant structure. Results found that "OFB Eden" applied at the suggested label rate resulted in no significant detectable damage to foliage, flowers or plant structures of the plant types tested. At the 2X rate, minor foliage damage was evident on several plant types. 'Me preliminary results of these screens suggest that "OFB Eden" may be safe on a variety of plant types at the recommended rate for either greenhouse or landscape plants.

Although these results are encouraging for commercial development as an ornamental product, it must be emphasized that plant sensitivity can vary in response to many factors including climate and management practices in addition to species and cultivar differences. It is therefore important that these trials are repeated using additional plant types grown and tested under different climatic conditions to ensure plant safety.