March 25, 2009, Brampton, Ont. – Vegetable growers now have a new way to control soil-borne Sclerotinia diseases.
Plant Products Co. Ltd. has announced the Eastern Canadian launch of Contans® WG, a fungus-based biological reported to reduce the viability of Sclerotinia in treated soil. Registered for soybeans, canola, sunflower, safflower, dry edible beans, lettuce, carrots, snap beans, cabbage, tomato and celery, Contans® WG is the first product of its type to be available in Canada. The introduction of Contans® WG comes through a distribution agreement between Plant Products Co. Ltd. and the product’s German-based manufacturer, PROPHYTA GmbH.
According to Martin Kiefer, product manager with Plant Products, Contans® WG will be a difference-maker for vegetable growers in Eastern Canada.
“Sclerotinia, also known as white mould, is a highly damaging group of diseases that can severely reduce yields in the field and the quality of harvested crops in storage,” says Kiefer. “Contans® WG is a valuable new option for growers, because it attacks the Sclerotinia fungus in the soil, before it can pose a threat to crops.”
Contans® WG is made up of the spores of a naturally occurring soil fungus known as Coniothyrium minitans. When applied at least three months before an expected Sclerotinia outbreak – that is, before or at planting time – the product will reduce or eradicate Sclerotinia in the treated soil. This makes Contans® WG a valuable component of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy.
“Traditional fungicides are targeted during bloom and can be difficult to time properly,” says Alain Cecyre, Quebec sales manager with Plant Products. “Contans® WG is a complementary approach to reduce disease pressure that, along with proven strategies like proper crop rotation, can make an outstanding, cost-effective contribution to an integrated pest management program.”
For more information, visit Plant Products.
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