Certis USA Set to Launch Madex® HP, A Dual-Purpose Virus Insect Control Strategy

The U.S. EPA has granted registration to Madex® HP, the first granulosis virus approved for use in North America that controls the larvae of both the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta). The environmentally friendly product from Certis USA will be commercially available to apple, pear, stone fruit, almond and walnut growers in the spring of 2013.

Codling moth and oriental fruit moth can be economically destructive pests for any American grower of these crops. However, control of these pests is especially critical in fruit and nut crops destined for export to countries where they don’t currently exist. Japan closely scrutinizes imported fruit and nuts to prevent the introduction of codling moth; Mexico takes similar measures against oriental fruit moth. Even a few infested apples or walnuts may result in rejection and quarantine of an entire shipment.

Certis USA Launches High Potency CYD-X HP Codling Moth Virus

Certis USA announces its introduction of a high potency codling moth virus that will be commercially available to apple and pear growers in select states this season. CYD-X® HP bioinsecticide contains the most potent occlusion bodies (OBs) selected from a naturally occurring virus (Cydia pomonella granulovirus or CpGV) that infects and kills larvae of the codling moth.

Larvae only need to ingest one or two OBs to cause a lethal infection. A single ounce of CYD-X HP contains nearly one trillion OBs. As a result, CYD-X HP can be used at ultra low rates — as low as 0.5 ounces per acre — making it a highly cost-effective control product. CYD-X HP provides growers with an economical alternative for managing resistance and residues. Because it is tank-mix compatible with most other insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers, no additional orchard applications are required. CYD-X HP will be packaged in an easy-to-use 6-ounce bottle with a window-strip calibrator for measuring the correct dose.

Certis USA to Launch New Biofungicide Formulation Containing Polyoxin D Zinc Salt with Exemption of Tolerance on All Food Crops

Certis USA announces that it has entered into an agreement with Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan, to introduce a new polyoxin D zinc salt formulation to the U.S. market under two trade names: "TAVANO™ 5%SC Fungicide" for use on grapes and small fruits including strawberries, and "OSO™ 5%SC Fungicide" for use on citrus, cucurbits, fruiting and leafy vegetables, potatoes and numerous other crops.

Polyoxin D zinc salt was first registered for food use in the U.S. in late 2008. The U.S. EPA has recently expanded the tolerance exemption to include polyoxin D zinc salt residues in/on all food commodities. The U.S. EPA also approved the registration of a new 5% Suspension Concentrate (5%SC) formulation.

PFR-97 Bioinsecticide Begins Commercial Use in California Agriculture

As conditions warm in California’s crop acres, mites are flaring. That makes the timing right for PFR-97^TM bioinsecticide as it enters commercial use in California this month.

Dave Silva, Product Manager for Certis USA, the manufacturer of PFR-97, has been traveling the state, helping with the product rollout.

“A lot of PFR-97 is going out on table and wine grapes in the Central Valley and coastal regions to control mites right now. We’re seeing excellent control knockdown,” Silva said. “The material offers some benefits not usually available in a miticide. For example, it controls multiple stages of the pest, so it’s effective and offers control over each life cycle of the pest. Current miticides have long pre-harvest intervals. PFR-97 doesn’t. Growers can apply it the night before and harvest the next day.”

Joe Lebow Joins Certis USA as Northern California Regional Sales Manager

Joe Lebow brings 12-plus years of experience in California specialty agriculture to his new position with Certis USA as Northern California Regional Sales Manager. Lebow is responsible for the sales and marketing of the Certis USA line of biopesticide products into the vine, tree, fruit and vegetable crop markets in the northern San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys.

Jeremy Briscoe, Certis USA Specialty Ag Business Manager, said Lebow is a welcome addition to the Certis USA sales team and the timing is critical. “Joe is responsible for introducing our newest product, a biofungicide, to these northern markets. He needs to hit the ground running, and I’m confident he’ll do just that.”

BmJ WG Receives Emergency Exemption For Use on Montana Seed Potatoes Susceptible to Potato Virus Y

The reemergence of Potato Virus Y (PVY) in potato seed stock is of great concern to farmers, because insecticides used to control the aphids that vector PVY do not effectively decrease transmission of the disease. In response, the US EPA has granted a Section 18 Emergency Exemption to the Montana Department of Agriculture for use of BmJ WG to control PVY on up to 2,675 acres of seed potatoes. Manufactured by Certis USA, BmJ contains Bacillus mycoides isolate J, a bacterium discovered by Montana State University that has been shown to trigger a plant’s immune response to pathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses. Products that can produce this response (called systemic acquired resistance or SAR) represent an advancement in the management of pests and plant diseases.