What is hydrogen cyanamide or Hi-Cane?
Hydrogen cyanamide or Hi-Cane is an agrichemical. It promotes uniform growth of shoots ‘budbreak’ and flowering of kiwifruit.
Hi-Cane has hazardous properties, but it is safe to use when the rules are followed.
What are the rules for using Hi-Cane?
Some of the rules include:
- It can only be used once a year (in late winter 1 July – 10 September)
- It cannot be used within certain distances of roads or boundaries (buffer zones) to protect bystanders, the aquatic environment and non-target plants
- It cannot be applied in windy conditions
- Sprayers must use nozzles that make droplets bigger and heavier to reduce spray drift
- Sprayers must be trained and wear personal protective equipment
- Notable levels of spray drift must not leave the orchard property.
We also recommend the following measures are taken on and around orchards during Hi-Cane spraying
- Keep children and pets away from boundaries
- Keep animals out of mixing, spraying and boundary areas
- Non-grazing animals should not be exposed to any residues on grass in the orchard for three days; and,
- grazing animals for seven days.
For more information about Hi-Cane and safe spraying, the following resources are available:
