A new bio-fungicide for controlling powdery mildew has been launched. Powdery mildew is notorious for impacting yield and fruit quality.

Selchuk Kurtev, Certis’ IPM manager, explains the importance of this development for the soft fruit industry.

“Strawberries represent almost 50% of the value of all UK-grown fruit, and are one of the highest value, home-grown fruit crops for the country.

“However, a high proportion of the most favoured commercial strawberry varieties, such as Elsanta, Sonata and Malling Centenary, among others, are highly susceptible to powdery mildew.

“Growers have access to a limited number of control options for the disease. As temperatures start to rise, increasing disease risk, a new preventative bio-fungicide is a timely addition to the crop protection armoury.”

Amylo-X® WG is a fully registered plant protection product which works proactively to compete for space with other pathogens in the plant canopy.

Containing the bacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum strain D747, at higher levels of bacterial colony forming units, means that dose rates are relatively low compared to other preventative products based on Bacillus species.

The new bio-fungicide also promotes growth by boosting the immune system of the plant and so preventing infection.

Amylo-X® WG is effective against powdery mildew, Botrytis and Sclerotinia spp. in a wide variety of crops. It has a short harvest interval and is exempt from Maximum Residue Levels.