Decision No. 03/2001/QĐ/BNN/KHCN on issuing industry standards

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the issuance of industry standards

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to Decree No. 73/CP dated November 1, 1995 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/CP dated December 8, 1995 of the Government on the division of responsibilities for state management of product quality;

Pursuant to Circular No. 1017 BVTV/CV proposing the issuance of Technical Regulation (TCN) on Field Testing Standards for Plant Protection Chemicals of the Plant Protection Department.

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Science and Technology Department and Product Quality Control Department

Pursuant to …;

Article 1: The following industry standards are hereby issued:

- TCN 437-2001 Field Testing Standards for the Efficacy of Insecticides Against Mealybugs on Citrus Trees.

- TCN 438-2001 Field Testing Standards for the Efficacy of Insecticides Against Planthoppers on Rice Fields.

- TCN 439-2001 Field Testing Standards for the Efficacy of Fungicides Against Anthracnose on Chili Peppers.

- TCN 440-2001 Field Testing Standards for the Efficacy of Fungicides Against Powdery Mildew on Mangoes and Longans.

- TCN 441-2001 Field Testing Standards for the Efficacy of Insecticides Against Aphids on Cruciferous Vegetables.

Article 2: THIS DECISION SHALL TAKE EFFECT 15 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF SIGNATURE.

Article 3: The Heads of the Office of the Ministry, the Director of the Science and Technology Department and Product Quality Control Department, the Director of the Plant Protection Department, and the Heads of related units are responsible for implementing this Decision.

INDUSTRY STANDARD

TECHNICAL REGULATION NAME: FIELD TESTING STANDARDS FOR THE EFFICACY OF INSECTICIDES AGAINST MEALYBUGS ON CITRUS TREES

Code: TCN 437-2001

Drafting agency: Field Testing Standards for the Efficacy of Insecticides Against Mealybugs on Citrus Trees.

Proposing agency: Plant Protection Department.

Reviewing agency: Science and Technology Department and Product Quality Control Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Approving agency: the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Decision on Issuance: No. 03/QĐ-KHCN & CLSP, January 18, 2001 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

FIELD TESTING FOR THE EFFICACY OF INSECTICIDES AGAINST MEALYBUGS ON CITRUS TREES

BIO-TEST OF INSECTICIDES AGAINST APHID ON CITRUS IN THE FIELD

1. General provisions:

1.1. These standards specify the main principles, contents, and methods for evaluating the efficacy of insecticides against mealybugs on citrus trees that are already registered and those not yet included in the list of permitted plant protection chemicals in Vietnam.

1.2. The tests must be conducted at facilities meeting the conditions stipulated in Article 11 of the Regulations on Quality Inspection, Residue Testing, and Field Testing of Plant Protection Chemicals issued together with Decision No. 193/1998/QĐ/BNN-BVTV dated December 2, 1998 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

1.3. Test Conditions: Tests should be arranged in orchards frequently affected by mealybugs; during seasons favorable for mealybug development; and at representative locations within the ecological zones.

Crop cultivation conditions (soil, fertilizers, planting density, other care practices...) must be uniform across each test plot and must comply with local farming practices.

1.4. Narrow-scale and wide-scale tests must be conducted in at least two representative ecological zones within the agricultural production area, but narrow-scale tests must be carried out first. If the results from narrow-scale tests meet the requirements, then wide-scale tests may proceed.

2. Testing Method:

2.1. Arrangement of Test Formulas:

Test formulas are divided into three groups:

- Group 1: Test formulas consist of different types of insecticides being tested at various dosages or application methods.

- Group 2: Comparative formulas include insecticides registered in the list of permitted plant protection chemicals in Vietnam and commonly used locally to control mealybugs on citrus trees.

- Group 3: Control formulas involve no application of plant protection chemicals and only water spraying (if it is a sprayable formulation).

Tests should be arranged using randomized block design or other methods specified in mathematical statistics.

2.2. Size of Test Plots and Repetitions:

- Narrow-scale tests: Each plot should have a minimum size of 3 to 5 commercial trees or 15 meters for nursery trees. Repetitions should be 3 to 4 times, ensuring a minimum degree of freedom of 12.² - Wide-scale tests: Each plot should have a minimum size of 20 commercial trees or 100 meters for nursery trees.

2.3. Application of Spraying and Spreading of Chemicals:² 2.3.1. Chemicals must be evenly applied over the entire test plot.

2.3.2. Dosage of chemicals is calculated in kilograms or liters of formulated product or grams of active ingredient per hectare or percentage concentration of the formulated product.

For ready-to-use formulations mixed with water for spraying:

The amount of water used must follow specific instructions for each type of chemical, suitable for the growth stage of the tree and the mode of action of the chemical. The sprayed solution must thoroughly wet the entire canopy.

Detailed records of the amounts of finished products and water used (liters per hectare) must be kept.

Care must be taken to prevent chemicals from one plot from drifting onto adjacent plots.

2.3.3. During testing, no other insecticides may be used throughout the test area. If the test orchard requires the use of chemicals to control other pests such as diseases, weeds, or rodents, these chemicals must not interfere with the tested chemicals and must be evenly applied to all plots, including the control plots. Any such cases must be recorded.

2.3.4. When applying chemicals, appropriate spraying and spreading equipment must be used, and detailed records of equipment operation must be maintained. For narrow-scale tests, hand-held backpack sprayers should be used, while motorized sprayers may be used for wide-scale tests.

2.3.5. Timing and Frequency of Chemical Application:

- Timing and frequency of chemical application must strictly follow the usage instructions for each type of chemical being tested and align with the testing objectives.

- If the label does not provide specific timing for chemical application, the timing and frequency should be determined based on the testing objectives, chemical characteristics, and mode of action of the chemical.

The timing and number of times the drug is processed must be carried out strictly in accordance with the usage instructions for each type of test drug and consistent with the purpose of the testing.

If the drug label does not specifically recommend the timing for processing the drug, then based on the testing purpose, the chemical characteristics, and the mode of action of the drug, the timing and number of times the drug is processed should be determined appropriately.

- Insecticides for mealybugs are typically applied once when the mealybug density reaches approximately 5 to 7 individuals per shoot. Subsequent applications (if necessary) depend on the trial requirements and the development of mealybugs in the trial garden. The number of applications and the timing must be recorded.

2.4. Investigation and data collection.

2.4.1. Investigating the impact of insecticides on mealybugs affecting citrus plants.

2.4.1.1. Number of investigation points:

* For narrow-scale trials: Each trial plot investigates 3 to 5 trees, with each tree investigating the number of living mealybugs on 4 fixed shoots (each shoot includes 1 bud and 2 lower leaves) from 4 directions for commercial orchards or 5 points, each point having 4 fixed shoots for nurseries.

* For wide-scale trials: Each trial plot investigates 5 to 7 trees, with each tree investigating 4 fixed shoots (each shoot includes 1 bud and 2 lower leaves) from 4 directions for commercial orchards or 10 points, each point having 4 fixed shoots for nurseries.

2.4.1.2. Timing of investigations:

The first investigation is conducted immediately before applying the insecticide, subsequent investigations are carried out 1, 3, and 7 days after application.

However, the timing and frequency of investigations may vary depending on the characteristics of each type of insecticide and the regulations of each insecticide manufacturer.

2.4.1.3. Investigation criteria:

The number of living mealybugs on shoots at various investigation times.

2.4.1.4. Data processing:

* The effectiveness of the insecticide is verified using the Henderson-Tilton formula.

* Data obtained from narrow-scale trials need to be processed using appropriate statistical methods. Conclusions from the trials must be drawn from results processed by these statistical methods. For new plant protection product trials, units designated by the Plant Protection Department to conduct the trials must submit both raw data and the statistical methods used to the Plant Protection Department.

2.4.2. Evaluating the impact of insecticides on crops:

All positive and negative impacts of the insecticide (if any) on the growth and development of crops must be evaluated according to a grading scale (see appendix).

Evaluation method:

Measurable indicators such as tree height, number of branches/clusters... must be represented by specific data according to suitable investigation methods.

Indicators that can only be assessed visually such as leaf burn, curling, color changes... must be described in detail.

If the insecticide affects the crop, recovery time must be monitored and recorded.

2.4.3. Observations on the impact of insecticides on other organisms:

Any positive and negative impacts (if any) of the insecticide on the changes in other pests, diseases, weeds, and beneficial organisms must be recorded.

2.4.4. Weather observation and recording:

Detailed records of temperature, humidity, and rainfall throughout the trial period must be kept; if near a meteorological station, data from the station should be used.

3. Reporting and announcing results:

3.1. Report content:

* Name of the trial

* Purpose of the trial

* Trial conditions:

- Trial location

- Trial content

- Trial characteristics

- Land characteristics, cultivation practices, crop varieties...

- Weather conditions during the trial period

- Growth and development status of mealybugs in the experimental area

* Trial methodology:

- Trial formula

- Trial layout method

- Number of repetitions

- Plot size

- Spraying equipment

- Amount of active ingredient used (g or kg/ha) or amount of commercial product (kg or liters/ha)

- Volume of spray solution used (L/ha)

- Date of insecticide application

- Methodology for investigating and evaluating the efficacy of tested insecticides

* Trial results:

- Tables of data

- Evaluation of the effectiveness of each insecticide

- Observations on the impact of each insecticide on crops, beneficial organisms, and other effects (see appendix).

* Conclusion and recommendations:

3.2. Announcing results:

The unit conducting the trial is fully responsible for the data presented in the report. For trials of mealybug insecticides for citrus plants not yet included in the list of approved plant protection products in Vietnam, the Plant Protection Department will compile these data for consideration when organizations or entities apply for registration.