ADVASEAL shown to be effective fumigant replacement
Treatment comparison: ADVASEAL® versus best grower fumigation standard
- ADVASEAL® plots producing comparable marketable yields to current grower standard
- Significant grower savings and environmental benefits over conventional fumigation
- Trial further demonstrates ADVASEAL's® potential as a next generation clean technology
"As we expected, the new ADVASEAL® (also called "ADVASEAL® HG") containing all the active ingredients, was shown to be a viable soil fumigation alternative to the current best grower practice of using fumigants to improve yields of field grown vegetables," said Mr.
Study Highlights: ADVASEAL® Compared With Grower Standard
Two types of the new ADVASEAL® were compared, Grade A and Grade B (collectively "ADVASEAL®"), to the best grower fumigation standard. Both ADVASEAL® films used the same amount of active ingredients, however they differed in coating structure. The current grower standard calls for approximately 660 pounds of a broad-spectrum fumigant mixture (PIC-CLOR 60 and K-PAM®1) per treated acre. In comparison, ADVASEAL's® clean technology uses over 95% less pesticides, resulting in lower application costs and environmental benefits.
Total and marketable yields were statistically the same between treatments. Similarly, estimated gross returns, based on the average
Nutsedge (weed) control was more than 30% better with ADVASEAL® versus the grower standard. Nutsedge, often called the "world's worst weed", is an aggressive, invasive weed that can drastically reduce crop yields.
Crop vigor ratings on plants and roots were good, but the grower standard was slightly more robust mid-season. However, by the end of the study whole plant and root vigor differences were not significant between treatments.
Control of root galls and nematode populations were not significantly different between the fumigated and ADVASEAL® treatments. Parasitic nematodes cause irregular swelling of roots, called galls. Other symptoms of root gall include stunted growth and plant wilting.
Fusarium (fungi) severity ratings on plants were not significantly different between treatments. For roots, ADVASEAL® Grade B treated plots showed superior fusarium control over Grade A plots. Fusarium is a widely spread soil fungi that first infects the roots and later the plant, causing it to wilt, wither and die.
"ADVASEAL® was shown to be an effective alternative to fumigants, while also bringing tangible financial and environmental advantages," concluded
The independent report for the Efficacy Trial can be found on the "Events and Presentations" page of
Next Steps
Based on the positive results to date, the Corporation will be proceeding with a more comprehensive Release Study, which is required for the
About ADVASEAL®
Today, agricultural films are used in the growing of vegetables worldwide to cover soil treated with fumigants – volatile and toxic pesticides essential for reducing pests, weeds and fungi in the soil, thus supporting good growth of new crop seedlings.
The original EPA approved ADVASEAL® (ADVASEAL® HSM), contained only a herbicide for weed control. The new enhanced ADVASEAL® (also called "ADVASEAL HG") under development also includes fungicides and a nematicide to control soil borne pathogens, thus becoming a complete non-fumigant alternative for soil disinfestation. With ADVASEAL®, modern non-volatile crop protection products can be applied more effectively and safely than with fumigants. The crop protection products are incorporated into a coating, which is then applied to a mulch film. Once the coated film is applied to the ground the active ingredients are released into the soil under controlled conditions, preventing the over/under-dosing found with current soil disinfestation practices. This new technology dramatically reduces the amount of crop protection products required. The catalyst to trigger the release of the active ingredients is soil moisture. When the film is applied to the soil, they are efficiently and safely discharged into the ground, resulting in heightened productivity, lower costs and notable environmental benefits.
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Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking Information
Certain information included in this press release constitutes "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the management of the Corporation, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies. The Corporation cautions the reader that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual financial results, performance or achievements of
Neither the
1 | K-PAM® is a registered trademark of |
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