AgroPages-Syngenta launches new copper-free fungicide in Spain for olive groves-Agricultural news

Syngenta has brought together over 250 olive growers in Seville, Spain, to officially launch Oliva Top, a new fungicide for olive trees.

During the event, Antonio Trapero (Professor at the University of Córdoba) presented his paper, about chemical control of emerging olive grove diseases, which highlighted the major diseases that affect the crop.

"The olive grove is a good example of sustainable cultivation, as it does not suffer from major epidemics in its area of origin, the Mediterranean," said Trapero, who stressed that a well-pruned olive tree is essential to preventing diseases.

The company has also assessed the current situation in the fungicide sector in an increasingly limited market, noting that copper, which has been a key ingredient of compounds used against olive pests for decades, is facing more and more legal restrictions. Currently, its use has been reduced to some 4 kilograms per hectare per year.

To avoid such restrictions, systemic products, such as Oliva Top, which is based on azoxystrobin and difenoconazole, can be used. "It does not use copper as a fundamental material, so farmers can use it without worry," said Juan Trigos (Syngenta field expert).

Oliva Top is also compatible with the integrated pest management of olive groves. One of its main advantages is its ability to control galling fungi for longer periods of time and not only against spores.

The original Spanish version of this article is from Agrónoma.