agrosimplex treatment of coffee and banana fungus - 2015

AgroSimplex Formula-‐4 and AgroSimplex -‐ Formula 17

AGROSIMPLEX FORMULA -‐ 4 and AGROSIMPLEX FORMULA -‐ 17 TREATMENT OF COFFEE FUNGUS AND BLACK SIGATOKA

ON BANANAS

Fungal diseases damage crops and reduce yields and can have serious social, economic and environmental consequences.

AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 and AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 have been used to treat and control fungal diseases in crops of ecomonic

importance in several geographic regions.

AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 is a general fungicide, bactericide and pesticide that is

used to prevent and control the spread of pathogens in crops, it is also effective against many soft bodied pests.

AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 is a plant growth enhancer that will help crops to recover and produce a bigger healthier crop than expected. It will also enhance

the soil matrix.

These products are safe, economical and sustainable and can be used on all crops.


Current control of coffee leaf rust (CLR) is attempted through the planting of partially resistant varieties or by using synthetic fungicides. The major coffee species grown commercially worldwide, Coffea Arabica, is susceptible to H. vastatrix and efforts aimed at introgressing resistance from related Coffea species have not proven effective or durable. Synthetic fungicides are expensive and consistent use of copper based products can lead to toxic accumulation in soils.

AgroSimplex offers two products, AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 for controlling plant pathogenic fungi and AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 to stimulate recovery and growth. These non-‐toxic, biodegradable, and inexpensive products may provide an effective alternative to synthetic fungicides currently used for CLR control. AgroSimplex products have proven to be effective at suppressing and controlling the spread of CLR in infection events through regular application. These cost-‐effective and environmentally friendly solutions to the CLR problem can restore economic prosperity to affected producer communities and maintain coffee products at affordable prices worldwide.

Many coffee plantations suffering from fungal coffee rust Hemileia vastatrix (also called Coffee La Roya) also are infected with Cercospora coffeicola (Berry blotch or brown eye spot) an opportunistic organism that targets already compromised plants meaning that both conditions often appear together. Cercospora coffeicola is also seen on coffee trees that are resistant to coffee rust.

AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 successfully treats both infections and will also kill soft bodied insect predators and mites. AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 stimulates recovery and promotes new healthy growth, with early treatment yield loss is minimised.

Dilution Rates

Both products are economical and easy to mix and apply. They have been designed and manufactured so that dilution is simple. Both products have a dilution rate of 1oz to 1 Gallon or 30mls to 4 litres. AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 cannot be mixed with other products and must be applied separately, however AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 can be used in conjunction with other agricultural products such as liquid fertiliser, pesticides or herbicides as part of routine crop management.

These products have no short or long term toxicity to the environment, long term use will ameliorate the soil matrix allowing more effective use of fertilisers and other additives.

Several plantations in Guatemala were identified and sprayed using a 2 step regime of AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 followed by Agrosimplex -‐ Formula 17. This regime was repeated on 15-‐21 day cycles as necessary. Disease progression/regression can be easily seen on the leaves.


PRE TREATMENT

Photographs 1-‐3 evidence of CLR infection. Photograph 4 progression of disease showing blackening of leaf and die-‐back as infection spreads. Necrosis and eventual leaf drop Photograph 5 & 6 shows an example of plants affected by both coffee rust and cherry blot, a secondary infection which affects the surface of the leaves and results in premature ripening of the coffee beans which then turn black and rotten inside thus vastly reducing the yield.

All treated areas were subsequently sprayed with AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 to facilitate recovery and rejuvenation of the affected plants. Juvenile plants were also treated with AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 to stimulate growth and facilitate early transplantation. The treated plants have the added benefits of improved natural defences.


POST TREATMENT

One day after treatment with a single spray of Agrosimplix -‐ Formula 4. The difference in the appearance of the plants was apparent to the naked eye. On closer inspection with a magnifying glass, it was clear that the spores on the underside of the leaves were dead. With regard to the berry blight, the top of the leaves looked brighter and greener. Further applications of AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 improved efficiency of coverage necessary for long term control of disease.

Dr Helen Keenan who led the team stated “When we saw the delighted response of the farm managers to the treated crops we knew we had something special. One plantation had tried more than 250 so called treatments, some that were extremely expensive and worryingly toxic for both workers and the environment. The evidence showed that the effect was immediate, no other product had achieved that. Many plantation owners wanted us to stay and treat all their farmland immediately. Word spread quickly generating much local interest among many of the major coffee suppliers in this region. We were then able to visit their plantations and discuss the numerous benefits achieved from using the AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 and AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 regime on various crops. We are so pleased that we can help these people recover their economic assets without introducing dangerous chemicals that only lead to toxicity problems and compromises future land use. The AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 and AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 regime is truly an ecologically sound, inexpensive and sustainable solution” AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 mixes easily with other agricultural adjuvants meaning that it is easily incorporated into existing schedules without extra labour or equipment costs.


AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 can also be used for the treatment of other fungal diseases, bacterial diseases and control of soft bodied pests. Previous trials with AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 have found this product to be highly effective in the treatment and control of all the aforementioned.

TESTIMONIALS

“I did not believe the product would work at first. After AgroSimplex scientists applied AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 to the coffee rust, I came back to the test area 4 days later and saw fewer spores on the plants. On the 10th day, I went out again; I saw no spores on the treated plants. The scars were still there but the disease was controlled. I also saw a change in the color of the plants, from an orange color to green. If I had my own coffee plantation, I would be using AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 to control the rust.”

Randolfo Hernandez, Administrator, Finca ISABEL

“It was impressive to see the effectiveness of AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 on the coffee rust. More so, the time it took to get rid of the spores on the plants. In a matter of 2 days, I was able to note a considerable difference. We have a system of controlling the rust, but AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 seems to be a much more effective and clean treatment for the disease.”

Marcelo Bosch, Field Consultant, Lignum

Dr Helen Keenan and Mr Owen King of AgroSimplex with Randolfo Hernandez on site at Café Isabel


Black Sigatoka also known as black leaf streak is caused by the fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis. Sigatoka attacks many Musa species ultimately decimating yields of these important cash crops.

AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 4 has been successfully used to control Sigatoka in the Philippines and continues to be used in many regions as a safe and economical alternative to toxic chemicals.

AgroSimplex Formula -‐ 17 helps plants to recover from stressful events such as disease but has many other benefits including:

• Improved water retention and delivery of nutrients from soil to plant.

• Improved fertiliser retention in soil matrix (increases Cation Exchange Capacity)

• Better plant resistance to climatic extremes and predators

• Increased root biomass resulting in stronger healthier plants

• Increased plant biomass, increased photosynthesis

• Increased fertility and higher yield

agrosimplex treatment of coffee and banana fungus - 2015

Environment