Preventive Biofungicide Romeo CA Now Approved for Use in California
13 October 2022 Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness, a leader in precision agriculture, crop protection, seed and nutritional products, has announced the registration of preventive biofungicide Romeo CA for use in California. By introducing plants to a non-living fungus, Romeo CA enables plants to generate pathogen-fighting compounds that prevent disease development.
“Applied to plant leaves, Romeo CA simulates pathogenic fungal attacks and executes internal defense responses,” explained Jason Ellsworth, Wilbur-Ellis Organic portfolio manager. “Whereas most fungicides have direct activity on the pathogen to prevent disease growth or kill it, Romeo CA triggers the plant’s own self-defense mechanism.”
Romeo CA is a foundational disease-management product for both conventional and organic tree fruit, tree nut, vine and vegetable cropping systems. Manufactured by Agrauxine, the business unit of Lesaffre dedicated to biosolutions for crop productions, Romeo CA is distributed in California exclusively by Wilbur-Ellis. The biofungicide offers regional growers a unique way to control powdery mildew and downy mildew in almonds, grapes, cucurbits and leafy greens, as well as brown rot blossom blight in almonds.
“Romeo CA stands out as a foliar treatment against powdery mildew and downy mildew,” said David Nerpel, strategic accounts coordinator, Agrauxine. “Used as a preventive standalone or in combination with other fungicides, its unique mode of action brings additional efficacy.”
Made from a naturally occurring compound, yeast, Romeo CA supports growers who are interested in minimizing residue on the crop and enhancing their resistance management and integrated pest management programs. Its host-plant-inducing mode of action also makes it a great complement to other pathogen-attacking fungicides.
“In organic programs, products like sulfur or SONATA biofungicide are very effective when combined with Romeo CA,” said Ellsworth.
Romeo CA contains the ingredient Cerevisane. The active is the cell wall of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain LAS117. Cerevisane induces internal plant defense mechanisms against key diseases.
Wilbur-Ellis first launched Romeo in 2020. The company offers a complete line of agricultural inputs, including crop protection chemicals, organic and sustainable options, fertilizer, seed and technology.
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