LUNA SENSATION FUNGICIDE
- APVMA no.
- 65560
- Registrant
- BAYER CROPSCIENCE PTY LTD
- Formulation
- SUSPENSION CONCENTRATE
Luna Sensation Fungicide is a co-formulated suspension concentrate containing two distinct systemic active constituents: fluopyram (250 g/L) and trifloxystrobin (250 g/L). Designed for high-level disease management in orchard and horticultural crops, it delivers protectant, curative, and translaminar activity against key fungal pathogens. In major pome fruit districts such as the Goulburn Valley, Batlow, the Adelaide Hills, and Stanthorpe, it serves as a key tool during critical spring disease infection windows.
By combining a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) with a quinone outside inhibitor (QoI / strobilurin), Luna Sensation provides robust broad-spectrum control while assisting with resistance management strategies. The systemic movement of both active constituents helps protect newly emerging foliage and developing fruitlets during periods of rapid canopy growth and humid weather.
When incorporated into a planned orchard spray diary, Luna Sensation should be applied strategically in rotation with fungicides from differing resistance groups. Growers and agronomists must consult the approved container label for precise crop-specific application directions, water volumes, and critical comments relevant to their region.
Active constituents
- FLUOPYRAM250 g/L
- TRIFLOXYSTROBIN250 g/L
Registered uses
| Crop | Pest or disease |
|---|---|
| Apple | Black spot (scab) |
| Apple | Powdery mildew |
| Pear | Black spot (scab) |
Withholding period
WITHHOLDING PERIODS (WHP) Harvest (H): Cane berries, passionfruit, stone fruit, strawberries: DO NOT HARVEST FOR 1 DAY AFTER APPLICATION Tropical and sub-tropical fruit, inedible peel (excluding bananas, passionfruit, pineapples): DO NOT HARVEST FOR 3 DAYS AFTER APPLICATION Lettuce: DO NOT HARVEST FOR 7 DAYS AFTER APPLICATION Almonds, apples, pears, persimmons (Japanese): DO NOT HARVEST FOR 14 DAYS AFTER APPLICATION Green beans: DO NOT HARVEST FOR 21 DAYS AFTER APPLICATION. Grazing (G): Orchards: DO NOT GRAZE LIVESTOCK IN TREATED ORCHARDS Green beans: DO NOT GRAZE OR CUT FOR STOCK FOOD FOR 21 DAYS AFTER APPLICATION 30 DAYS Livestock that has been grazed on or fed treated crops should be placed on clean feed for 30 days prior to slaughter.
Withholding periods vary depending on the target crop and market use. For harvest: a 1-day WHP applies to cane berries, passionfruit, stone fruit, and strawberries; a 3-day WHP applies to tropical and sub-tropical fruit with inedible peel (excluding bananas, passionfruit, and pineapples); a 7-day WHP applies to lettuce; a 14-day WHP applies to almonds, apples, pears, and Japanese persimmons; and a 21-day WHP applies to green beans. For grazing: livestock must not be grazed in treated orchards. For green beans, a 21-day withholding period applies before grazing or cutting for stock food. Additionally, any livestock that have grazed on or been fed treated crops must be kept on clean feed for 30 days prior to slaughter.
Mode of action
Luna Sensation provides dual-site biochemical control through two complementary active constituents. Fluopyram is a Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor (SDHI) belonging to FRAC Group 7, which halts fungal cell respiration at Complex II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Trifloxystrobin is a Quinone Outside Inhibitor (QoI / Strobilurin) belonging to FRAC Group 11, inhibiting fungal respiration at Complex III. Together, they disrupt spore germination, germ tube elongation, and mycelial growth, providing systemic and translaminar distribution throughout treated plant tissue.
Resistance management
Luna Sensation contains both a Group 7 (SDHI) and a Group 11 (QoI) fungicide. To prevent the development of fungal pathogen resistance to both chemical classes, do not rely exclusively on co-formulated products for consecutive sprays. Rotate Luna Sensation with effective fungicides from different mode-of-action groups (such as multi-site protectants or alternative systemic groups). Adhere strictly to CropLife Australia resistance management strategies and the maximum number of allowable consecutive or seasonal applications specified on the approved label.
Tank-mix compatibility
Tank mix compatibility depends on formulation types, water quality, and environmental conditions at application. While suspension concentrates generally mix well with standard orchard products, caution should be taken when tank mixing with emulsifiable concentrates, crop oils, or foliar fertilizers, particularly during hot weather, to avoid potential foliage or fruit phytotoxicity. Always perform a small-scale jar test prior to commercial batch mixing and refer to the approved label for explicit mixing orders and compatibility warnings.
Handling and environment
Operators must observe standard personal safety precautions, including the use of recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) detailed on the container label. Avoid spray drift onto non-target vegetation, waterways, and aquatic environments. Re-entry periods, buffer zones, and environmental safety requirements are governed by regulatory guidelines; refer directly to the APVMA approved product label for complete handling, storage, and disposal directions.
Common questions
- How does the dual active formulation benefit pome fruit growers?
- Combining fluopyram (Group 7) and trifloxystrobin (Group 11) provides two distinct modes of action that attack fungal respiration at separate sites. This delivers strong protectant and translaminar control against black spot and powdery mildew while helping reduce the selection pressure for single-site resistance when rotated correctly.
- Where do I find the correct application rate for my crop block?
- Application rates, spray concentrations, and water volumes depend on canopy size, crop type, and planting density. These parameters are legally defined on the APVMA approved label; always inspect the physical container label or consult your agronomist before calculating tank loads.
- What are the rules regarding livestock grazing in treated orchards?
- Livestock must not be grazed in treated orchards under any circumstances. Where crops or crop residues are cut or grazed (such as green beans after their specified withholding period), a 30-day clean feed interval must be observed prior to slaughter to meet trade and residue standards.
- How should I test compatibility before tank mixing with foliar nutrients?
- Review the compatibility statements on the approved product label first. Before full-scale mixing in the spray rig, conduct a jar test using water from the same supply to check for physical incompatibility, settling out, or precipitation.
- How do I build Luna Sensation into a seasonal resistance rotation?
- Luna Sensation contains Group 7 and Group 11 fungicides. It should be rotated with fungicides from different FRAC groups—such as multi-site protectants—rather than applied in continuous blocks. Check CropLife guidelines and the approved label for maximum permitted applications per season.