Chicago, illinois, USA
September 22, 2015
Nufarm announces that ChampION++™, a fungicide/bactericide† that controls key fungal and other diseases in a wide range of high-value crops such as citrus, walnuts, grapes, tomatoes and peppers, is now OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) Listed®.
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is an international, non-profit organization that determines which input products may be allowed for use in organic production and processing. OMRI Listed products are approved for use in certified organic operations under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program. To receive OMRI certification, a product undergoes rigorous review to ensure that the product complies with the USDA’s National Organic Standard. Acceptable products are OMRI Listed and appear on the OMRI Products List.
ChampION++ is a new dry formulation (water dispersible granule) of copper that features consistently smaller particles and other unique formulation attributes to provide more thorough coverage – and thus better disease control – with less environmental loading.
The superior formulation of ChampION++ fungicide/bactericide is evident in the product’s basic characteristics, says Bob Bruss, Ph.D, technical services director for Nufarm . “ChampION++ has the smallest average particle size of any dry copper formulation,” he points out. “The average particle size of the ChampION++ product is approximately three to four times smaller than the average particle size of competitive products.”
“The cupric ion (Cu++) is the active part of the molecule, and it works by attacking the bacteria or fungi where it disrupts enzyme processes,” says Bruss. “Because copper is not systemic and doesn’t redistribute after application, complete coverage of the leaf surface is essential for good disease control. The smaller particle size that ChampION++ provides means more complete coverage, which results in more copper ions available to coat plant surfaces. This improved coverage, in turn, provides more effective disease control.”
The smaller particle size has another important benefit: it means that producers can apply a significantly lower rate of copper but still get effective disease control. “Compared to older copper
formulations, we are applying approximately half of the rate of copper per acre with ChampION++” Bruss says. “But because of the smaller particle size and superior coverage with ChampION++, we get equivalent or better disease control, even at this much lower rate of copper.”
Copper has been used to combat disease in high-value fruit and vegetable crops since the late 1880s, when the “Bordeaux mixture” of copper sulfate and lime was used in French vineyards to protect grapes from downy mildew. Copper fungicides have evolved over the decades but remain a key disease management tool for producers.
“Part of the reason for copper’s importance in disease management is the multi-site mechanism which prevents development of resistance,” explains Devron McLeod, Nufarm product manager. “So despite its decades of use, copper continues to play an increasingly important role in disease control programs. In ChampION++ we are able to provide a superior product that gives better coverage and absorption, and effective disease control at much lower copper rates than competitive products. It’s the ideal copper fungicide solution for high-value crop producers.”
† Non-public health bacteria
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