Insecticide Trebon launched in Kenya

A new multipurpose insecticide to counter pests affecting vegetables, cereals, fruits and flowers has been introduced to the market.

Distributed by agro-chemical firm Elgon Kenya, Trebon (active ingredient: etofenprox) reportedly combats a wide range of insects, among them whiteflies, aphids, leaf miners, hoppers, moths and common cutworms.

A three-year trial on the efficacy of the insecticide was carried out in three regions in Kenya on different plants. The trials, which started in 2008, were carried out in Kericho on roses, Timau (carnations) and Naivasha (vegetables).

According to the researchers, Trebon was found to have a knockdown effect on hoppers, cutworms and whiteflies.

The product has low mammalian toxicity, rapid knockdown activity, no irritation to the user, low impact on the environment, short pre-harvest intervals and low risk on pest resurgence.

A product of Japanese multinational, Mitsui Chemicals Agro Corporation, Kenya representative Dickson Mureithi said the results indicated that the insecticide effectively controlled whiteflies.

On aphids, the rate of infestation dropped drastically until all insects were killed. Mr Jack Apollo Juma, a researcher, said Trebon is very safe to users and its effects on beneficial insects such as ladybirds are insignificant.

Ms Mary Opisa, a representative of Finlay Flowers where trials were conducted on roses, said that the insecticide was tried on whiteflies on all stages of growth.