Canada
December 15, 2010
Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, Inc. has received approval for Actigard™, a plant growth regulator that provides protection against bacterial speck and bacterial spot in tomatoes, and blue mold in tobacco.
Actigard has a unique mode of action that belongs to a category called ‘Host Plant Defense Induction; Group P1’. Applied preventatively, Actigard works to stimulate the plant’s natural defense mechanisms against bacterial and mold infections.
“Actigard acts similar to a vaccine, triggering natural defense mechanisms within the plant, preparing the plant to protect itself against infection,” explains Fernando Olea, Fungicide and Insecticide Brand Manager with Syngenta Crop Protection Canada. “Actigard should be used as a preventative treatment in a coordinated approach with other fungicides.”
A systemic compound, Actigard contains the active ingredient acibenzolar-S-methyl, which has a unique mode of action that mimics the natural Systemic Activated Resistance (SAR) response found in many plants. The activation of this response by Actigard helps activate the plant’s natural defenses to provide plants with enhanced protection against target diseases.
“We’re very excited to bring this product to market in Canada because without proper protection, bacterial diseases can devastate valuable crops,” adds Olea. “At Syngenta, we’re committed to working with the minor use coordinators to bring new tools like Actigard to the Canadian market in order to assist horticultural growers in their crop production and integrated pest management practices.”
Actigard has been accepted for registration and will be available for use across Canada for the 2011 season.
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