Regev ’ s predecessor , Timorex ACT , is already used with multiple crops to mix products in the field ; or they are simply used to chemicals , which seem to work perfectly well enough . The difficulty STK had in marketing Timorex Gold led it to think about a new approach that would give the benefits of biologicals without the need to learn new ways of applying them , by combining one with a chemical . Many thought this an odd idea , because the whole point of biologics is supposed to be showing that you are green and organic .
Getting the message across
“ When you come with a mixture , noone understands what the marketing message will be ,” says Nativ . “ It ’ s partly green but also partly chemistry , and it is not organic . We had a lot to prove .” Regev is a combination of 400 g / litre TTO extract with 200 / g litre difenoconazole , which is already used to control many diseases . Its dual mode of action ( MoA ) combines TTO ’ s cell membrane disruption
with difenoconazole ’ s inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis . This also means the probability of resistance or cross-resistance developing in plant pathogens is very low . In addition , studies have shown that the combination improves the efficacy of difenoconazole , including against fungal populations with a lower sensitivity to it . On this basis , STK claims that Regev “ combines the disease control activity of a natural botanical fungicide with the strength and activity of a chemical ingredient ” and that it helps to improve resistance management and yield . Regev significantly inhibits spore germination or lesion development on treated leaves and limits the expansion of lesions caused by various fungi . The diseases it controls include powdery mildews ( caused by Erysiphales fungi ), apple scab ( Venturia inequalis ), Black Sigatoka in bananas ( Mycosphaerella fijiensis ), and species of Alternaria , Cercospora , Botrytis , Rhizoctonia , Pyricularia , Helminthosporium and Sclerothium . STK carried out many field trials around the world , both internally and with external partners in the US and Latin America Figure 1 shows the results of some trials with potato brown spot . Three years ago , Regev was launched in Latin America , where
STK has previous experience and new product registration is easiest . The company is now working with Adama in Chile , Peru , Ecuador and Colombia ; with Asenta in Mexico ; with Amvac in the rest of Central America ; and also with a small , local company in the Philippines . This process has brought the product to the hands of the farmers and the uptake level has been very high , largely because of its ease of use .
Ease of application
“ There ’ s no need to educate the farmers about how and when to use it or what to expect when they do ,” Nativ says . “ If you have the disease , you just go out and spray it like you would any other chemical .” There is only one residue – difenoconazole – so Regev can be used on fruits for the export markets where there are severe restrictions on maximum residue levels , like the EU and East Asia . In addition , it is claimed , because the diseases have never been hit with anything like this before , yields can be substantially improved US registration in September 2020 was the big breakthrough of recent years , Nativ says . STK is now working there with Summit Agro . Market entry in Europe , however , is some years away because of the lengthy registration ‣