Sponsoring Multiple Studies for Disease and Insect Control
Growth Products research is taking a unique approach using
biorationals to help growers win their battle against fungal,
bacterial diseases and insect infestation while preventing resistance problems. The four research trials focused on improving strawberry crops yield, fighting diseases such as Botrytis,
Phytophthora and Anthracnose and warding off insect attachment by physically changing the plants physiology; protecting
it from insect feeding.
The following studies evaluated the performance of Companion Biological Fungicide, TKO Phosphite 0-29-26 to control
disease and increase yield and SiTKO 0-7-17 a propriety formula containing phosphite and potassium silica for warding
off spider mites.
Companion Biological Fungicide contains the unique strain of
Bacillus subtilis (GB03) that works in three different ways to
fight disease-causing pathogens. It disrupts the pathogen cell
membrane by the release of an antibiotic, Iturin. It forms a
protective zone around the roots and elicits Induced Systemic
Resistance (ISR) boosting the plants immune system to fight
disease, restricting the development of diseases. These mutiple
modes of action reduce the potential to develop pathogen resistance. In all studies crop yield was increased.
Trials with Companion, alternating with chemical pesticides,
realized improved efficacy of the pesticide while reducing the
pesticide applications by 50%. Additionally, there is a zeroday pre-harvest interval to control late season diseases. Companion is compatible and can be tank-mixed for one-time
application with registered pesticides.
Twospotted Spider Mites
“The application of silicates
are known to change the
plant’s morphology” *
SiTKO 0-7-17 contains both 100% soluble
potassium silicate and phosphite. Twospotted Spider Mites are the most common pest
of strawberries, effecting the overall health
of developing strawberry plants, reducing
marketable yield. Under FQPA more chemicals are being removed for use on food
crops. SiTKO provides an alternative biorational approach for the control of Twospotted Spider Mite Control.
Silicate-based products are known to protect
and improve the plant’s tolerance to insect
feeding. A spring 2016 trial shows impressive Twospotted Spider Mite control by SiTKO
0-7-17. When compared to the Untreated
check, applications of SiTKO, showed
marked suppression number of spiders mite
on the plants (Chart 1) by 65.9% over the
control and 20.5% better than the insecticidal soap.
*UDSA National Organic Program ORGANIC PROGRAM, Technical Evaluation Report, “Aqueous Potassium Silicate - Crops”, Jan. 6, 2014
**A Guide for Biological Control of Twospotted Spider
Mites In Strawberry Production, Clemson Cooperative
Ext, Roger Frances)
“Uncontrolled outbreaks of twospotted spider mites can
reduce strawberry yield by more than 50%” **
Control of Twospotted Spider Mites on
Strawberry
Total Mite Count
Chart 1
Twospotted Spider Mite Strawberry Trial, 2016
Application March - May, 7 sprays per product, Delivery 50 gal per acre.
Biological Applied Research, Elm City, NC
Phytophthora Crown Rot
Phytophthora cactorum
Significant Increase in Yield
from TKO
A Trial was conducted from October 2015
to February 2016 on Fragaria x ananassa
‘Florida 127’ to evaluate the efficacy of various products on yield and disease control.
The replicas were inoculated with Phytophthora cactorum and treated to control disease progression. The results were
outstanding for both yield and disease control with applications of TKO Phosphite 029-26 realizing an increase in yield of
97.6% over conventional Ranman and 10%
increase in yield over Ridomil.
TKO Phosphite topped the charts, outperforming all other products in the trial with
6,248 lbs per acre (Chart 2) of marketable
fruit! Five applications were done at 2 qt. per
acre every 2 weeks at a rate of 100 gal. per
acre from Oct to Dec..
Strengthen Resistance &
Disease Reduction
The trial focused on the control of phytophthora disease. Disease control was maintained with the application of TKO Phosphite
throughout the trial and was statistically the
same as the application of Ridomil Gold SL.
(Chart 3).
Marketable Fruit Yield
Pounds per Acre Harvested
Chart 2
Phytophthora Strawberry Trial, 2015-2016
Rate 2 quarts per acre every 2 weeks.
University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Wimauma, FL
Phytophthora Incidence on Strawberry
% of diseased plants
One-Two “Punch” with TKO
Highly soluble P & K provides disease control and improved yield all-inone, that’s the Power of
TKO Phosphite 0-2926!
Chart 3
Phytophthora Strawberry Trial 2015-2016
Rate 2 quarts per acre every 2 weeks.
University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Wimauma, FL
Anthracnose Fruit Rot
Colletotrichum acutatum
Control of Anthracnose Fruit Rot
Average Fruit Weight in Grams
Optimize Crop Output
Chart 4
Anthracnose Strawberry Trial, 2014-2015
4 treatments weekly.
Biological Applied Research, Elm City, NC
Control of Anthracnose Fruit Rot
Total Marketable Fruit Count
Biological or naturally derived materials
used in agronomic applications saves
money and reduces chemical fungicide dependence. A concentrated study on the efficacy of Companion in comparison to
combination fungicide applications, against
strawberry plants inoculated with Anthracnose Fruit Rot, completed in 2015 on randomized completed block of Fragaria x
ananassa cultivar ‘Chandler’ demonstrates
the efficacy of biologicals for disease control
and yield protection. Four fungicide / biological fungicide treatments were made
weekly from 12-May to 2-June with weekly
harvests.
Protect your Plants, Help
your Harvest
Companion Biological Fungicide came out
on top with 9.5% more average yield than a
combination application of four fungicides
(Captan 50 WP, Topsin-M70W, Pristine 38
WG and Switch 62.5 WG) and 93.8% more
yield than the untreated check (Chart 4).
By the Numbers
Chart 5
Anthracnose Strawberry Trial, 2014-2015
4 treatments weekly.
Biological Applied Research, Elm City, NC
Again Companion Biological Fungicide
leads with total fruit count. Applications of
Companion, yielded the highest Fruit Counts
in the trial, with 13.3% - 24.6% more fruit
than Untreated Check and 8.9% - 19.9%
when compared to the combination application of fungicides (Chart 5).
Botrytis Fruit Rot
Botrytis cinerea
Botrytis Fruit Rot
% of Yield
Shield your Yield from
Botrytis Fruit Rot (BFR)
Botrytis is a widespread disease in strawberries. It can infect the plants both during the
growing season and in dormancy, often appearing as soon as conditions are favorable.
It can have a heavy impact on yield. Preemptive treatment is important and throughout the growing season.
SiTKO 0-7-17 Saves you
Dollars and Makes “Sense”!
Chart 6
Botrytis Strawberry Trial 2016 7 sprays at a spray rate of 50 gal per acre.
Biological Applied Research, Elm City, NC
Botrytis Fruit Rot at Harvest
% by Weight
Chart 7
Botrytis Strawberry Trial 2016
March - May, 7 sprays at a spray rate of 50 gal per acre
Biological Applied Research, Elm City, NC
80 Lafayette Ave. White Plains, NY 10603
Phone: 800-648-7626
www.GrowthProducts.com
Companion Biological Fungicide, SiTKO 0-7-17, & TKO Phosphite 0-29-26 are registered trademarks of Growth Products, Ltd. Serenade is a registered
trademark of Bayer CropScience. MilStop is a registered trademark of BioWorks Inc. Switch 62.5 WG, Ridomil Gold SL, and Revus are registered
trademarks of Syngenta. Captan 80 WG is a registered trademark of Drexel Chemical Company. M-Pede is a registered trademark of Gowan Company
LLC. K-Phite is a registered trademark of Plant Food Systems, Inc. Taegro 13 WP is a registered trademark of Novozymes. Ranman is a registered
trademark of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. Pristine 38 WG is a registered trademark of BASF SE.
SiTKO, a proprietary product containing
potassium silicate and potassium phosphite,
materials considered to be biocompatible
chemical compounds, enhance plant disease resistance through Induced Systemic
Resistance (ISR). They are also termed “plant
inductors” and are effective against many
kinds of biotic and abiotic stress; an innovative strategy to improve the yield and quality
of crops. SiTKO 0-7-17 performed very well
in protecting yield from Botrytis in a 2016
study. Even at lower rates, SiTKO decreased
the percentage of disease (Chart 6) and the
percentage of diseased harvest weight fruit
(Chart 7) as compared to M-Pede. Greater
efficacy and the ability to use less product
will not only be good for your bottom line,
but also the enviroment.