Bayer : biological crop protection product combats bacterial and fungal crop diseases

Monheim, October 17, 2018 - Serenade™ ASO fungicide/bactericide is a powerful biological crop protection product designed to protect against the effects of soil and foliar bacterial and fungal diseases. In soil uses, it is applied at planting or through chemigation. Serenade ASO quickly builds a disease-protection zone around the roots of the seed or transplant. When used as a foliar spray, it acts directly on the disease organism itself, stopping proliferation. Serenade™ ASO is a liquid formulation, tested thoroughly under varying conditions and already used in many countries. It was recently granted registration in France for the first time.

The active ingredient in Serenade™ ASO fungicide/bactericide, Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713, is a beneficial bacterium, isolated from the soil. A master of root colonization, B. subtilis strain QST 713, as formulated in the Serenade™ ASO product, can quickly build a dense biofilm on plant roots. The biofilm acts as a protective barrier, shielding roots from diseases in the soil. The beneficial Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 in Serenade™ ASO produces fungicidal and antibacterial biological chemistry that is present in the final product, ready for action when applied, and can also be produced again in the soil during root colonization. These naturally occuring biological chemistries kill diseases, activate natural plant defenses, promote plant growth, increase the efficiency of photosynthesis, and improve nutrient uptake.

The registration in France covers foliar and soil applications on a wide range of crops, including oilseed rape, sugar beets, grapes, potatoes, fruits and vegetables. Since Serenade™ ASO is a stable product, farmers can tankmix it with other fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, herbicides, or fertilizers and apply it using existing spray or chemigation equipment. It can be used in integrated agronomic solutions to help prevent the development of fungicide resistance. Serenade™ ASO is exempt from the requirements of residue tolerances (MRLs) due to its favorable safety profile.

Serenade™ ASO shows efficacy against Botrytis, Early Blight, Powdery Mildew, bacterial diseases, and White Mould as well as soil-borne diseases such as Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2017, the Group employed around 99,800 people and had sales of EUR 35.0 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.4 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.5 billion. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

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