AgroPages-Ceradis receives US EPA approval for new biofungicide Ceramax, for soy seed treatment-Agricultural news

Ceradis B.V. announces Ceradis’ first product registration in the USA, with the EPA granting the registration of CeraMax for seed treatment of soybeans. CeraMax is a biofungicide with efficacy against a broad spectrum of fungal diseases. The first application of CeraMax will be as a seed treatment against the Sudden Death Syndrome, a fusarium disease on soybeans. This solution has proven excellent efficacy, at the same level as the best commercial chemical fungicides, against Sudden Death Syndrome. These findings were confirmed in 3 years of trials, spanning a swath of states in the US Mid-West.

CeraMax contains the active ingredient Natamycin. Natamycin is a biological molecule produced by soil bacteria as a defense mechanism against fungi. Natamycin is an approved food additive, that has been used for decades to preserve for example cheese. Natamycin is not only safe for human food, it is also safe for the crop and non-target organisms. This is due to its unique mode of action. It targets ergosterol, which only fungi possess. CeraMax is therefore a new tool to help farmers in the battle against resistance development.

“Farmers in the USA are under pressure by regulators and consumers to move to biological products, but wish to keep their yield in doing so. Now, with CeraMax, farmers can achieve both. CeraMax is another example of Ceradis’ green innovations – technology to help reduce chemical pesticides. Ceradis is fully committed to making CeraMax a success in the USA with our partners, and to expand CeraMax to more crops, countries, and applications”

—— Willem-Jan Meulemeesters, Ceradis CEO