AgroPages-ICL launches biofungicide Prestop in UK-Agricultural news

The patented Lallemand Plant Care biological fungicide Prestop which provides control of plant pathogens in ornamentals and other crops including protected salads and lettuce, is to be exclusively marketed in the UK and Ireland by ICL and its distributors.

Prestop helps to control damping-off, root and base rot diseases as well as aerial diseases in plants caused by pathogens including Botrytis, Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia Fusarium and Didymella.

"Prestop is an exciting and strategic addition to ICL’s expanding plant protection range," says ICL technical manager Andrew Wilson. "This biological fungicide is set to play an extremely valuable role in helping control fungal diseases in ornamental crops and other high value crops in the future.

"With multiple modes of action it has the potential to improve resistance management. Application methods are flexible and Prestop is compatible with biological and integrated pest management programmes. What is more, with no residue, there is no harvest interval."

Containing the mycelia and spores of the naturally occurring soil fungus Gliocladium catenulatum Strain J1446, Prestop provides disease control benefits through multiple modes of action. These include as a hyperparasite - through the production of enzymes causing the breakdown of plant pathogen cells walls - and by depriving pathogenic fungi of living space and nourishments by colonizing the surface of roots and aerial plant parts.

In turn, these functions are supported indirectly when stimulation of the plants’ own natural defence systems take place.

To optimise control, it is recommended Prestop is used in a protectant programme before infection occurs.