New soil applications for Regalia provide growers with game-changing options for disease control

By CnAgri2012-09-19 19:08:45 Print

Fruit and vegetable growers understand that plant diseases represent major challenges to their bottom line. From the moment a plant takes root, it’s under possible attack from soilborne pathogens such as Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Phytophthora.

Soilborne diseases are particularly devastating early in the growing season, when high-value crops such as tomatoes, peppers, strawberries and potatoes are most vulnerable to bacterial and fungal pathogens. Plants affected by disease early in their development struggle throughout the growing season. Yields often suffer. Quality is compromised.

More application options spell better disease management.

Regalia®, a biofungicide developed by Marrone Bio Innovations, has seen rapid adoption in specialty crops, where it is used for control of a number of foliar diseases. The EPA has recently added soil applications to the Regalia label. The product can now be applied through drip irrigation, in-furrow spray, pre-plant dip, and shanked-in and drench applications.

In addition, many new plant pathogens are covered in the new label, such as Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Phytophthora.

Regalia contains a unique active ingredient from the extract of Reynoutria sachalinensis, which switches on plants’ natural defense mechanisms, causing them to produce and accumulate higher levels of natural proteins and other compounds that inhibit disease development. A minimal re-entry interval and a zero-day preharvest interval provide growers with greater operational flexibility and a residue-free harvest.

Overcoming transplant shock.

Regalia applied in the soil is very different from a foliar application. With Regalia applied as a soil application, university and independent trials have shown vigorous early root development in tomatoes, peppers and strawberries. This early root growth enables plants to better overcome transplant shock, making them less vulnerable to diseases.

Establishing healthy root systems early with Regalia will positively impact the crop’s long-term growth and quality of marketable yield. Healthy, disease-free plants are also less susceptible to any number of other stresses a crop can encounter during the growing season.

Enhanced control of soilborne diseases.

Regalia has shown impressive activity on several important soilborne diseases in fruiting crops. In bell peppers Regalia has performed well against Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia. In potatoes, control of Rhizoctonia is strengthened, which can improve yields. Regalia also reduces Fusarium in tomatoes when applied as a soil drench or injected through drip.

Increased yield, quality and profitability.

The advantage of being able to use Regalia in soil applications as well as foliar applications ultimately adds up to increased yield, superior fruit and vegetable quality and increased profitability. Adding Regalia for early-season soilborne disease control enhances operational flexibility and significantly improves the performance capacity of your overall integrated pest management programs.