AgroPages-Bayer launches fungicide for grapes in India-Agricultural news

Bayer India’s crop science division has launched fungicide Luna Experience for grapes to help fruit growers achieve healthy and disease-free produce that lasts longer on shelf.

Table grape is a high profit crop for growers, but its production is quite challenging on account of plant diseases, sustainable use of crop protection products, food safety issues related to residues of chemicals (MRLs) and dynamic international market requirements of retail chains. Plant diseases in particular can severely affect the quality of grapes, thus impacting the business of growers, exporters and fresh fruit retailers.

Bayer’s new fungicide product will help grape growers increase the marketability of their produce due to the benefit of its Extended Grape Health, which refers to the superior protection provided by Luna against crop quality related diseases like Powdery Mildew as well as latent diseases. Latent infections remain in a dormant stage in the berry and start showing disease symptoms only after harvest, thus affecting the shelf-life.

Luna Experience is widely used for table grapes in several countries and has seen huge commercial success in South Africa, Italy, the USA and Chile. In India, Luna Experience is being introduced with label claims on Powdery Mildew and Anthracnose for grapes. The product will be sold in pack sizes of 1 litre, 250 ml and 100 ml.

Peter Mueller, head of South Asia, Bayer Crop Science Division, said, “Luna Experience will fulfill the need of Indian farmers for a revolutionary, new molecule for Powdery Mildew Management in grapes. With Luna, grape growers can achieve excellent harvest quality, while minimising post-harvest losses. Moreover, Luna will also benefit grape exporters as it will maintain the health and freshness of grapes for a longer time by protecting against latent diseases. Ultimately, end-consumers will benefit from a large variety of high-quality fresh produce.”

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicates that about 33 percent of global food production is lost or wasted annually. According to industry reports, the world produces nearly 1.5 billion metric tonnes of fruits and vegetables, of which 800 million metric tonnes are vegetables and nearly 700 million metric tonnes are fruits. The production and consumption of fruits and vegetables is essential for the country. Therefore by reducing waste, one can increase efficiency for the food industry and avoid the loss of resources. Bayer aims to support the food industry by providing extended shelf-life to fruits and vegetables, and at the same time maintaining the freshness, taste and health quality of the harvest.