Syngenta launches biofungicide based on Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in Portugal

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

Syngenta Portugal launched Taegro, its new biofungicide registered in the country, which aims to protect vines and horticultural crops against diseases, including powdery mildew and gray rot.

The company revealed that the product, based on Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, is authorized in Integrated Protection and Biological Production Mode.

The new biofungicide controls powdery mildew, gray mold, downy mildew, sclerotinia and alternariasis, and protects tomato, pepper, strawberry, lettuce, eggplant, courgette, cucumber (both in the open and in the greenhouse) and in the vine (wine grape and table grape).

Taegro's formula is based on Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (strain FZB24), a rhizobacteria naturally present in the environment. According to Syngenta, the biofungicide protects plants in several ways.

“Since it is a living organism, upon colonizing the plant tissues, it multiplies, forming a protective physical barrier on the surface of the plant that prevents the installation of pathogens, competing with them for space and nutrients. Furthermore, this bacillus releases active metabolites with biocidal properties, inhibiting the development and spread of fungi and bacteria. On the other hand, it works by stimulating the natural resistance of plants, which, when they come into contact with the bacillus, perceive it as a threat, activating their natural defenses,” the company stated.

Maria do Carmo Pereira, responsible for Syngenta's portfolio of biosolutions for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, explained, “Taegro is an ideal solution to complement programs where it is necessary to reduce chemical applications, as it maintains the healthy culture until harvest and there is no problem of waste.”

The official also revealed that Taegro is in the process of registering for being used on other crops and purposes, namely, fruit trees, olive groves, almond trees, and at a later stage will be submitted for registration in the control of soil fungi.

Taegro has a one-day withdrawal period and can be applied throughout the entire cycle from crop to harvest. The product works best at temperatures between 15ºC and 30ºC.

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