Certis Europe’s developing partnership with Nichino Europe in Italy

Cooperation between Certis Europe and Nichino Europe has seen the development of pyraflufen-ethyl in a 2.5% EC formulation for the control of grapevine shoots and fruit tree suckers, as a total herbicide for grapes and fruit trees and as a potato desiccant.
 
Pyraflufen-ethyl, from the phenylpirazole family (already listed in Annex 1), is a contact herbicide and desiccant. The product acts by inhibiting the enzyme PPO (Protoporphyrinogen oxidase), which is essential in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll.  It has low solubility and no volatility, thus making it non-residual in soil with good selectivity towards cultivated plants.

The results of the 2008-2010 trials, in a joint development program with Sipcam have proved the efficacy of pyraflufen-ethyl in controlling grapevine shoots and fruit tree suckers successfully, demonstrating both speed of action and duration of effect. The data collected has shown better performance than the market standard, gluphosinate ammonium, and, in particular, rapid action and flexibility of application timing.  In addition, pyraflufen-ethyl has proved to have good efficacy against broad-leaved weeds present in vineyards and fruit orchards. In addition, the product has shown very good result in use as a potato dessicant.

The collected data on grape and fruits were presented at the national Giornate Fitopatologiche 2010 and a new update on potato will be presented during the Giornate Fitopatologiche 2012, an important technical venue for the industry to present new pesticides for the domestic market.
The product will be launched by Certis in spring 2012 with the brand Piramax. This new product fits with Certis Europe’s objectives and strategy for future growth. Alongside other new products currently in development, pyraflufen-ethyl will play its part in strengthening the Certis portfolio in the grapevine and fruit market.