Lusosem launches biological fungicide for grape diseases in Portugal

By Leonardo Gottems, Reporter for AgroPages

The Portuguese company, Lusosem, presented a solution for controlling fungi that cause diseases in grapevines, including Esca, and soil fungi affecting horticultural, fruit and ornamental crops. 

The fungicide, Blindar, based on two strains of Trichoderma, is authorized for use related to the “Organic Production Mode” and is effective even in adverse weather conditions, the company said in a statement. 

The fungicide was developed by the Italian company, Isagro, in partnership with researchers from the University of Florence, based on the strains, Trichoderma Gamsii and Trichoderma Asperellum.

“The mycelium of these beneficial fungi colonizes the tissue of vines where pruning wounds are found, forming a physical and biological barrier against the entry of pathogens, therefore, preventing the development of new infections,” Lusosem said.

“The strains Trichoderma Gamsii and Trichoderma Asperellum contained in the fungicide, Blindar, act in a symbiotic manner, guaranteeing greater effectiveness when controlling pathogenic fungi in various climate and soil conditions," he added.

Blindar is equally effective in preventing pathogenic fungi that attack the roots and stem of plants, such as Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and it operates in less than six hours, at temperatures above 10° Celsius and without rain, noted the company. It is recommended to pre-germinate the spores of Blindar 24 hours before applying the product, which should be done after prunin vines.

“Diseases of the wood of vines, such as Esca, Eutypiosis, Botriospheres and Petri Disease, are caused by a vast complex of fungi, which lead to the decline of plants and generate great losses in the quantity and quality of harvests,” Lusosem noted. Related estimated losses worldwide amount to US$1.5 billion per year.

AgroPages invites you to showcase in the brand new magazine ‘Certified Organic Agri-inputs Guide’, which will come out this March. Over 120,000 subscribers of AgroPages, who are dedicated to agribusiness industry, will further know your brand, products and technology through this publication.

Contact us, create your own organic products page.

  Yutian Lu

  yutian.lu@agropages.com