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MaxCel® plant growth regulator receives Canadian registration

Apple growers in Canada now have access to a new product for
use in post-bloom thinning and sizing programs.

Apple growers in Canada now have access to a new product for use in post-bloom thinning and sizing programs. MaxCel® plant growth regulator has received registration from the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and will be available commercially in all provinces for the 2008 growing season.

As the primary component of a thinning/sizing program, MaxCel is an effective tool for reducing hand thinning costs, maximizing fruit size potential, and reducing alternate bearing, even on difficult-to-size varieties such as Gala, Fuji and Empire.

First introduced in 2003 by Valent BioSciences Corporation, MaxCel is now distributed globally in more than 10 countries around the world. In Canada, MaxCel will be marketed by Valent Canada, which is headquartered in Guelph, Ontario.

“We are excited about introducing MaxCel to help apple growers reach optimum value from their orchards,” said Regina Rieckenburg, Valent Canada market manager. “We are dedicated to bringing new solutions to the Canadian apple industry and are pleased to introduce MaxCel in the 2008 growing season.”

MaxCel contains a cytokinin-based plant growth regulator with a patent-pending formulation that offers optimal coverage and absorption into plant tissues. Unlike other chemical thinning agents, MaxCel promotes fruit growth beyond the thinning effect, resulting in increased fruit size and improved pack out.

For more information about MaxCel, call (519) 822-7043 or visit www.valentbiosciences.com .