Growers have two new tools to prevent and control a broad spectrum of crop diseases. BASF has announced the full U.S. EPA registration of Priaxor fungicide and Merivon fungicide.

Priaxor is expected to provide unprecedented disease protection and post-infection disease control from some of the toughest fungal diseases in soybeans, as well as several other crops. Merivon will do the same in several pome and stone fruit crops, including apples, cherries and peaches.

“BASF is committed to developing new chemistries and innovative products to help growers be more successful,” said Paul Rea, Vice President, U.S. Crop Protection, BASF. “The discovery of our latest active ingredient, Xemium fungicide, is a testament to our promise to provide the tools to help growers get the most out of every acre.” 

Priaxor is a 2:1 premix fungicide containing F500 — the same active ingredient as Headline fungicide — and Xemium fungicide, a new active ingredient in the carboxamide family, providing a new mode of action in row crops. Merivon is a 1:1 premix fungicide of F500 — an active ingredient in Pristine fungicide —and Xemium.

Three years of BASF in-field research showed superior disease control and Plant Health benefits, which lead to consistent yield improvements in soybeans. From 2009 through 2011, soybeans treated with Priaxor showed nearly 17 percent less severity of Septoria brown spot compared to untreated soybean acres.

In more than 75 trials conducted by BASF in 2010 and 2011, Priaxor-treated soybeans had higher yields than untreated acres 87% of the time. In comparison, the current leader in the soybean market, Headline, out-yielded untreated checks 83% of the time.

“Priaxor takes crop disease management to the next level, providing a new standard of soybean disease control to improve yield and maximize a grower’s return on investment,” said Nick Fassler, Technical Market Manager, BASF. “Research has shown Priaxor to be the most consistent soybean fungicide available.”

Priaxor is also labeled for use in potatoes and tomatoes to control disease, leading to improved crop quality. Studies showed Priaxor controls some of the toughest diseases threatening these crops, effectively controlling powdery mildew and black mold in tomatoes, and early blight and black dot in potatoes.

Two 2011 trials in California and Florida showed a nearly 20% less incidence of early blight in tomatoes treated with Priaxor compared to untreated plants. Three 2011 trials in California, Wyoming and North Dakota found potatoes sprayed with Priaxor had a 2.9% severity of early blight compared to an untreated check, which showed an incidence of 22.2% severity.

Priaxor has also shown effective disease control in corn, controlling several yield-robbing diseases including Northern and Southern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot and common rust.

Solution For Pome And Stone Fruit Crops

Merivon fungicide, the newest fungicide for pome and stone fruit crop growers, also received registration from the U.S. EPA. Merivon is a premix composed of F500—an active ingredient in Pristine fungicide — and Xemium.

Three years of BASF in-field research showed effective control of diseases that annually affect pome and stone fruits, resulting in more marketable fruits. Specialty crops are plagued by annual diseases including scab in apples, powdery mildew and leaf spot in cherries, and blossom blight, shot hole and powdery mildew in peaches. Merivon will provide a new level of control on these devastating diseases.

The most recent Merivon research, conducted in 2011, found that:

“Merivon fungicide will be an important tool that’s both reliable and successful in providing the protection specialty fruit crops need from damaging, yield-robbing diseases,” said Caren Schmidt, Ph.D., Technical Service Representative, BASF. “Research has shown Merivon will be an effective way for growers to control diseases and produce more marketable fruit, leading to increased profitability.”

The new active ingredient Xemium fungicide, paired with the active ingredient in Headline fungicide, will also be available through Monsanto’s next generation Acceleron Seed Treatment Products for soybeans and cotton.

Xemium, a next-generation fungicide in the carboxamide family, was discovered by researchers at BASF headquarters in Limburgerhof, Germany. Xemium is a result of BASF experience in research and development, specifically in the carboxamide class of chemistry.

The active ingredient Xemium protects crops with three important characteristics:

“BASF has a proven track record of leading the industry with new and innovative fungicides,” Rea said. “Growers deserve the best returns for all the hard work they invest in feeding America and the world. We’re committed to continually developing the leading edge chemistries needed to succeed in this mission.”

With the introduction of Priaxor and Merivon, BASF continues to expand what a fungicide can do for growers. These new products join the robust portfolio of BASF foliar fungicides, including:

To learn more about Priaxor and Merivon fungicides and their value to growers, visit Planet Xemium here.

In today’s complex and fast-paced crop production sector, the team at CROPLIFE keeps 21,000 agricultural retailers, distributors and their suppliers up to date on such decidedly 21st century issues as seed technology, biotechnology, precision agriculture, customer service and retention, and business management. See all author stories here.

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