Strawberry growers have a new weapon in the fight against botrytis, with the spring launch of a product from crop solutions specialist Certis. The new product, Frupica, boasts 'outstanding control botrytis and no known resistance'.

According to the company, formerly Hortichem, yields on Frupica-treated crops averaged 11 per cent more than with standard methods of control across 15 trials.

The treatment also shows exceptionally high crop safety, said Certis general manager Peter Hingley.

'As an early preventative measure against the yield-robbing impact of botrytis cinerea (or grey mould), Frupica should be used as part of a programme for protected and outdoor crops from the start of flowering,' he said.

'Uniquely, it also gives a high level of control of powdery mildew and additionally has an effect on black dot, an increasing problem for growers of everbearer strawberries.

'The product registration for use on a food crop qualifies the product automatically for use under the long term arrangements for extension of use (off label) for protected and outdoor ornamental crops.' The active ingredient in Frupica is mepanipyrim, which belongs to a different chemical group to most other products for strawberry botrytis control. Hingley says this brings not only a valuable addition to the control measures available, but also a broader choice for anti-resistance programmes.

'With fewer new products being registered for speciality and high-value crops like strawberries, resistance is one of the most important issues facing growers. They have an increasing need of effective strategies against diseases such as botrytis and powdery mildew,' he said.

'Elsewhere, yield improvement and excellent crop safety have been clearly evident in use over Belgium over the past two years on a range of strawberry varieties. Control of both botrytis and powdery mildew together with high crop safety have also been recognised in a wide range of bulbs and other ornamental species in recent trials.'

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