"Australia: " Pro-Biotica showing excellent crop protection efficacy"

Greg Teske from Elders Gatton has trialled a novel bactericide this tomato season, “The new technology has been packaged into a range of products called “Pro-Biotica.” He said the products that had been developed would “Provide effective suppression and control of a wide array of both fungal and bacterial pathogens whilst providing outstanding plant, human and environmental safety.” Regarding the compatibility of Pro-Biotica as a tank-mix with existing product on the market, “Pro-Biotica is an excellent tank-mix or rotational partner in a disease control program, compatible with most commonly used pesticides, fungicides, nutrients and adjuvants, because the bacteria is an endospore that is dormant in solution until it germinates on the plant leaves or root hairs 48 hrs after application.”

The Active ingredient based on a naturally occurring, strain of Bacillus subtilis (strain Ch-13), contains (1x108 cfu/ml) in Aqueous Suspension, or (1x106 cfu/g) as a freeze-dried powder. The three compounds that the unique strain produce are; i) Turins A ii) Surfactins and iii) Fengycin “Pro-Biotica also acts as an immunostimulant that works through the promotion of a Salicylic Acid Response in plants” according to Hortus Agronomist Jack Milbank, who has conducted some of the trials. “Pro-Biotica’s strong anti-fungal activity against pathogenic fungi can be attributed to it’s interaction with sterols and phospholipids” he added.

Major Benefits of Pro Biotica

New biological crop protection group with no resistance issues.
Excellent spike in combination with other crop protection technologies or a stand alone fungicide to enhance disease control and disease resistance strategies.
Broad spectrum fungicide with activity on Botrytis, Powdery
Mildew, Bacteria and Soil borne diseases such as Fusarium Pythium and Rhizoctonia.
Well supported by research trials conducted by Australian researcher Peracto Ltd.
Very safe to humans and the environment, with no crop re entry period restrictions making it ideal for greenhouse production.
Economical pricing.

Peracto are preparing reports on trials conducted to date, to enable Bio-Synthesis to submit the registration pack to the APVMA. As a safe, naturally occurring organism, Pro-Biotica does not officially have to register with the APVMA and product can be sold immediately, however Bio-Synthesis expect to have registration in any case on a range of crops and diseases by December 2013.

The above photos are taken from the trial block of gourmet tomatoes treated with Pro Biotica. Treatment began on this block at the 1st wire stage (approx. 30-35cm). Three applications were applied at 14 day intervals as a replacement for Copper compounds. 3L/ha was applied for the first two applications and 4L/ha for the last application at a grower cost of $28.50/ha (3L) and $38.00/ha (4L). Due to the large amount of copper applied to tomatoes and capsicums, often soil elemental copper can become toxic; this was one of the drivers behind the decision to trial Pro Biotica on this block.

The photo 1 is illustrating the bottom 2/3rds of the crop which was treated with Pro Biotica as above treatments. Then the January 2013 rains arrived leaving the block exposed to disease pressure as the block was too wet to get a spray rig on for weeks.

Photo 2 is illustrating the Bacterial Speck infection that has occurred on the top 1/3rd of the crop since its last Pro Biotic over a month ago. Copper has since been applied in an attempt to slow the spread of the Bacterial Speck. The conclusion to this trial clearly shows Pro Biotica efficacy is equal to that of Copper compounds on Bacterial Speck and Spot.

For more information:
Elders, Greg Edwards +61 428442797