How MilStop Fungicide Works on the Leaf
This MilStop fungicide is the SP soluble powder from BioWorks, and its single active ingredient is potassium bicarbonate at 85%. It works on contact in two ways at once. The spray dries out the spores and hyphae it lands on, which is the curative action against powdery mildew already on the leaf. It also lifts the leaf surface to a mildly alkaline pH of about 8, which makes it harder for new spores to take hold. Beyond powdery mildew, the label lists Botrytis, Alternaria, anthracnose, black spot, Cercospora and Septoria leaf spots, among others. Re-entry is 1 hour for agricultural use, and there is no pre-harvest interval, so a late outbreak can be treated on harvest day. The SP formula already carries its own surfactants, so it dissolves fast and needs no wetting agent. Greenhouse rates run from 1.25 to 5 lb per 100 gal, with 2.5 lb per 100 gal as the usual working rate. At that working rate, the 5 lb bag mixes about 200 gal of finished spray. The label is written for organic production and carries EPA registration 68539-13, with a Caution signal word. It dries clean, so there is no white film left on the canopy to wipe off later.
Building a Potassium Bicarbonate Fungicide into the Spray Plan
A potassium bicarbonate fungicide works best as the contact piece of a program, sprayed when conditions favour mildew. Start at the first sign of disease and repeat every one to two weeks while the weather keeps humidity up. Tighten the interval during damp stretches, when spores move fastest through a dense canopy. Coverage decides the result, so wet the tops and undersides of leaves and the stems, not just the upper surface. Mix only what will be sprayed that day, since leftover solution should not be stored. Leave the water alone after mixing, because acidifying it to correct pH cancels the alkaline effect the product relies on. Skip extra surfactants as well; doubling up raises the risk of leaf burn. Spray in the cooler part of the day so the solution dries within a couple of hours. Sensitive crops deserve a small test patch first, with a look two weeks later before treating the whole room. It is not for drenching or chemigation, and it pairs well with many beneficial insects already working the space.
Key Features
- Curative on powdery mildew: Dries out active spores and hyphae on contact.
- Alkaline leaf surface: Raising leaf pH helps keep new infections from establishing.
- 1 hour REI, no PHI: Crews can re-enter quickly, and spraying is allowed up to harvest day.
- Pre-formulated with surfactants: Dissolves fast with no extra wetting agent to add.
- Broad-spectrum label: Also covers Botrytis, Alternaria, anthracnose and several leaf spots.
- Dries without residue: Leaves no visible film on foliage or flowers.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | BioWorks |
| Product | MilStop SP Foliar Fungicide |
| Active ingredient | Potassium bicarbonate 85% |
| Formulation | Soluble powder with built-in surfactants |
| Package | 5 lb bag |
| EPA registration | 68539-13 |
| Signal word | Caution |
| Re-entry interval | 1 hour |
| Pre-harvest interval | None (0 days) |
| Greenhouse rate | 1.25-5 lb per 100 gal |
| Small-batch rate | 1 Tbsp per gal (2.5 lb per 100 gal) |
| Spray interval | Every 7-14 days while disease pressure lasts |
| Solution pH | About 8 |
| Application | Foliar spray only; not for drench or irrigation systems |
| Part number | 1M112B04 |
| UPC | 860079001441 |
