OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY

AND POLLUTION PREVENTION

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

WAS HINGTON D.C., 20460

.APR 7 2011

MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT:

FROM:

TH RU:

TO:

BEAD Chemical Profile for Registration Revi ew : Propamocarb-HCl (119302)

Leonard Yourman, Plant Pathologist f?"

Biological Analysis Branch U

Katherine Stebbins, Biologist

Science Information and Ana lysis Branch

Derek Berwa ld, Economist /' Economic Analysis Branch c

Biological and Economic A"'ryis Division (7503P)

Arnet Jones, Chief l!A ,-f!"Y," "" Biological Analysis Brane

Diann Sims, Chief ;Dit2.,n..,.s~L-r"""-> Science Information and Ana lysis Branch

Timothy Kiely, Chief / \-.

Economic Analysis Branch \..)j \AJ\J

Biological and Economic Analysis Division ( 3P)

Christina Scheltema, Chemica l Review Manager

Pesticide Reevaluation Division (7508P)

Peer Review Pan el date: March 9, 20 t 1

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this document is to convey usage information and a broad overview ofthe pest

management role ofa pesticide that is beginning to undergo registration review. The anticipated

audience consists of the team of EPA staff currently evaluating the registration status of

propamoca rb-HCl, and eventually, the general public. This document builds upon the data

already provided in the "Usage and Label Use Data Packages" that are also provided to

Registration Review teams by BEAD . The document is based on information and data available

to BEAD as of Febru ary, 201 1.
PROPAMOCARB-HCL: Chemical class, mode of action, and main target pests

propamocarb-HCI is a fungicide with activit)' against several Oomycete species (e.g.,

Phytophthora spp., Pythium spp., Bremia lactucae [lettuce downy mildew], and

Pseudoperonospora cubensis [cucurbit downy mildew]). These may cause seed, seedling, root

and stem rots, and foliar diseases in many edible crops and ornamental plants. Propamocarb-HCI

is identified as a carbamate fungicide (FRAC, 201Oa; ETN, 1997). The mode of action is

classified by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC, 2010a) as a "Group 28"

fungicide, with a low to medium risk ofresistance. Because resistance to propamocarb-HCI has

been identified in greenhouse isolates of Pythium spp. (Pest Manageme nt Guidelines, 201 la;

FRAC. 2010b) resistance management strategies have been recommended with its use.

USE SITES

Primary uses of propamocarb -HCI are potato, tomato (field and greenhouse), field and

greenhouse-grown cucurbits (including numerous squashes, melons, watermelon, and

cucumber), pepper (field and greenhouse), head and leaflettuce (field), and greenhouse-grown

leaf lettuce. In addition, there are uses for eggplant, Chinese okra, and other specialty crops.

Turf and ornamental uses are for golf courses, sod farms, commercially grown ornamentals in

greenhouses and container-grown ornamentals in nurseries.

COMMON FORMULATIONS AND AP PLICATION METHODS

Propamocarb-HCI is formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate. Propamocarb-HCI may be

applied via chemigation, soil surface spray, foliar spray, band treatment, containerized plant

treatment, and drench treatment. For the agricultural crops, aerial applications may be made. It

is used in greenhouses on labeled crops as a pre-seeding treatment in growing media; posttransplanting or seeding in drip irrigation system or "soil" drench.

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USAGE

Agricultural Usage

Based on private market survey data from 2(106-2008, the annual agricultural usage (excluding

eggplant because data are not available) averaged approximately 240 ,000 pounds for 220,000

acres (GtK Kynetec, 2006-2008). Depend in g on the crop, propamocarb-HCl is typically applied

at a rate of 0.7-104 pounds a.i. per acr e (GtK Kynetec, 2006-2008).

From 2006-2008, the top crops in terms of total pounds of active ingredient applied were lettuce

(52%), cucumbers (37%), squash (3%), peppers (3%), and pumpkins (3%) (Figure I). These

crops ranked similarly in terms of the total area treated exce pt cucumbers ranked high er (46%)

than lettuce (40%).

Figure I. Cro s with Highest Use (Percent of Total Pounds Al A lied)

Peppers _

3%

Squash

3%

Cucumbers

37%

Source: GfK Kynetec, 2006-2008

Other includes: potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, and cantaloupes .

The states with the most agri cultural usage in terms of pounds AI applied were California,

Michigan, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Indiana (Figure 2). These states were also the highest in

terms of the total area treated.

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Figure 2. States with Highest Use (Percent ofTotal Pounds AI Applied)

Source: GfK Kynetec, 2006-2008

Another measure of usage is the percent ofthe crop that is treated (PCT ). According to the

Screening Level Usage Anal ysis (EPA, 20 1('), cucumbers had the highest PCT with an average

value of30%, followed by lettuce (25%), pumpkins and squash (both 10%), and peppers (5%) .

Non-Agricultural Usage

According to pesticide usage surveys for turf and ornam entals, usage on golf courses has been

declining since the peak of approximately 8: ,000 pounds in 2002 to just under 10,000 pounds in

2006 (Kline and Co., 1999-2006). Usage by lawn care operators and in nursery/greenhou se sites

was only reported in 2006, accounting for approximately 4,000 pounds each (Kline and Co.,

1999-2006).

USE T RENDS

The historical usage data provided in this section has not been analyzed in detail and is provided

for preliminary scoping purposes only, to CO:1Vey a broad overview of propamocarb-HCl at the

beginning of the registration review process. Prior to 2005, agricultural usage was limited to

potatoes and tomatoes. From 1998-2008, the use on potatoes and tomatoes has decreased with

no use reported on tomatoes since 2001. Overall, usage has incre ased substantially in recent

years due to the 2004 registration oflettuce, cucurbits, and fruitin g vegetables (Figure 3).

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Figure 3. Propamocarb-HC l Usage (Po unds ,\I Applied 1998-20 08)

350.000 r--------------------------,

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 1003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Source: GfK Kynetec, 1998-2008

Other includes: squash,pepper, pumpkins. watermelons, and cantaloupes.

• Other

• Tomatoes

D Potatoes

• Cucumbers

• Lettuce

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BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS RELEVANT TO PROPAMOCARB-HCL

Table 1 indicates the diseases that are targeted by propamocarb-HCl for the primary crops where

it is used. In addition, Table I lists other fungicides that may be available for use in managing

these diseases. BEAD did not evaluate any of these fungicides for comparative efficacy and the

list of fungicides is not comprehensive.

Tabl I e . Pro amocarb-He l taraete rscases and some a teman ve ungrct es on se ecte c d rops.

Crop Disease Pathogen Other Chemical Funaicid es Avai lable'

Cyazofamid, fluopicolide, mefenoxam +

Pseudop eronospora

chlorothalonil, famoxadone + cymoxanil,

Cucurbits3 Down y mildew dimethomorph, boscalid + pyraclostrobin, cubensis fenamidone, mancozeb, chlorothalonil,

membenoxa rn + chlorothalcni l.

Pythium root rots

Cucurbits and seedl ing Pythium spp Metalaxyl, mefenox am

diseases

Pythium root rots

Peppers and seedling Pythium spp. Metalaxyl, rnefenoxam

diseases

Mefenoxam, fosetyl-Al, phosphorus acid

Lett uce products, mandipropamid , fluc picolide,

(head and Downy mildew Bremia lact ucae acibenzclar-Svrnethyl (Actigard), famoxidone +

leal) cymoxanil (Tanos), fenam idone, dirnet homorph,

and copper hydroxide.

Lettuce Pythium root rots

(head and and seedling Pythium spp Metalaxyl, mefenoxam

leaf) diseases

Azoxystrobin, chlorothalon il, copper hydroxide,

cyazofamid, cymcxanil, dime thomorph.

Potato Late blig ht Phytoptuhor-x infestans famoxado ne + cymoxanil, fenamidon e,

fluoxas trob in, mancozeb, mandipropamid +

difenoconazole, mefenoxam, metirarn,

pyra clostrobin, pyrimethanil, trifl oxystrobin,

Potato Early blig ht Alternaria solani triphenyltin hydroxide (Super Tin), zoxamide +

mancozeb

Mancozeb + copper hydroxide, cyazofarnid.

Tomato Late blight Phytophthor a infestans cymoxanil, dimethomorph, fluop icolide,

f1 uoxas trob in, fenamidone, mandipropamid +

Tomato Early blig ht Alternaria solani difcnoconazole, pyraclostrobin. fluoxastrobin,

triflox vstrob in

Tomato, Pyt hium root rots

field and seedli ng Pythium spp Fosetyl-AI, mefenoxam, phosphorous acid

diseases

Orn amentals Root rots and Pythium spp : Cyazofamid, dimethomorph, etridiazole, fosetyl-

(greenhouse) damping-off Phytophthon spp . AI, mefenoxam, phosphorous acid, Fludioxonil,

pyraclostrob in, trifloxvstrobin,

Turf Root rots and Pythium spp : Azoxystrobin, chloroneb , etridia zole , fosetyl-Al,

damping-off Phytophthor a spp. mefenoxam, pyra clostrob in + boscalid

Pest Management GUIdelines, 201 l a; Pest Management Guide lines, 20 11b, Southeastern U.S. 20 11 Vegetable

Crop Handbook. 20 11; Vegetable Prod uction Handbook for Florida, 201 1-2012. 20 11.

2 Not all the listed fungicides are registered for use in all states.

3 Includes cucumber, sq uashes, pumpkins, watermelo -i, and me lons.

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IIISTORY OF BEAD ASSESSMENTS FOR PROPAMOCARB-HCL

There is no evidence that BEAD has evaluated this active ingredient since the registration

eligibility decision (RED) in 1995. There was no discussion of benefits in the RED document.

REFERENCES

EPA Proprietary Data. GtK Kynetec. 1998-2008 .

EPA 2010. Screening Level Usage Analysis.

ETN (Extension Toxicology Network). 1991', Propamocarb . Pesticide Information Profile.

CorneII University. (http://pllier .eee.comell.edulprofiles!extoxnetimetirampropoxur/proparnocarb-ext.htrnl)

FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action Comm: ttee). 2010a. FRAC Code List@: Fung icides sorted

by mode of action (including FRAC Code numbering).

http://www.frac.info/frac!publ icationianhang/FRAC Code List 2010.pdf)

FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action Commttee). 201Ob. List of plant pathogenic organisms

resistant to disease control agents. Revised January 2010.

hup:llw'Nw.frac.info!frac/publicationianhang/List of resistant plant pathogen s Jan%2020 IO.pd

D

Kline and Co. (2000-2007). Professional Turf and Ornamental Markets for Pesticides and

Fertilizers.

Pest Management Guidelines. 2011a. Phtophthora damping-off , root and crown rot. Fungicides

and Bactericides for Greenhouse Use. Chapter 6. Cornell University.

http ://ipmguidelines.org/Greenhouse/contenl/CH06/de fault-31.asp;

hup :IIipmguidelines.erg!greenhouse!

Pest Management Guidelines. 2011b. Disease Management. 2011 Cornell Pest Management

Guidelines for Commercial Turfgrass. Chapter 5.8.

hup:IIipmguidelines.org/TurfgrasslcontentiCH05!default-8.asp

Southeastern U.S. 2011 Vegetable Crop Handbook . 2011.

http://\\'\v\\'.citru sandvegetabl e.comlMedialS,EVG-20 11/2011 SEVG-reduced.pdf

Vegetable Production Handbook for Florida, 2011-2012. 2011.

http ://citrusandvcgctable.com/medialvegpro dgd20 II /Fla vegprodgd20 II .pdf

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