Certis Europe won second place in the 2021 Bernard Blum Award with its broad-spectrum fungicide, Problad. The award is presented annually by IBMA for Novel Biocontrol Solutions that have a high impact in the management of pests or diseases whilst having a low impact on human health and the environment. Winners were announced at the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) 2021 in Basel in October.
Problad is a biological fungicide of natural origin, a concentrate plant extract manufactured by CEV, S.A. from the germinated seeds of Lupinus Albus sweet varieties. With a novel and unique multi-site mode of action, it raises no resistance issues and also meets food chain management requirements with no residues. Trials have shown effective and consistent performance in a range of crops (grapevine, stone fruit, tomato, rice, and strawberry) against many pathogens (including Grey mold, Powdery mildew, Brown rot, and Rice blast). Its compatibility with IPM programs and with a large majority of plant protection products allows the use of Problad in programs to reduce the use of conventional fungicides. It is selective in all crops and can easily be integrated into spray programs for both organic and conventional farming. Certis intends to register Problad on a wide range of indoor and outdoor crops, including minor crops, in all European countries, and research is ongoing to expand the label to another usage including arable crops.
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