Agrokoncernas has presented the new active substance “Inatreq Active” at a special event for the agricultural sector. The substance known by its scientific name, Fenpicoxamid, was developed to protect crops against fungal diseases. This unique fungicide (a tool against fungal diseases of grain) will help farmers manage diseases such as leaf septoria, wheat streak, ear fusariosis, powdery mildew and others.
According to Arnas Radzevičius, head of AgroTTC, Agrokoncernas’ Precision Technology Centre, this active substance will completely change the way agronomists have been thinking about disease protection in crops. It is unique in that it is a completely new substance, so fungal diseases have not developed resistance to it.
“In simple terms, this agent blocks the fungus from breathing and kills it. This is a completely new tool in the fight against grain diseases. The last group of active substances in crop protection was discovered almost twenty years ago, when carboxamides with the active substance boscalid were introduced in 2003. Such molecules are usually studied for about a decade, and the registration process takes another decade or so, so this is a major milestone in the field of agronomy”, explains A. Radzevičius.
“Inatreq Active was developed by Corteva Agriscience, a long-standing partner of Agrokoncernas. The fungicide has already been used by French and English farmers since it was launched three years ago and was introduced to the German market a year ago.
Lithuania belongs to the Northern European zone, which has particularly strict requirements for active substances. They are subject to extra scrutiny to make sure they are safe for the environment and people. As a result, registration procedures for new substances take longer. “Agrokoncernas” has used this time to carry out trials under local conditions and can now report on the results and effectiveness of the fungicide.
“We have been monitoring this active substance for three years in our agro-innovation research centre and we are confident that this will be a major new step forward. The results of our field trials are very similar to those of farmers already using this active ingredient in other European countries. Three years of data show that this substance delivers an average yield premium of 150 kg per hectare compared to the most advanced solution on the market,” explains A. Radzevičius.
He also points out that this new active substance will prevent the development of disease resistance and the patented i-Q4 technology will ensure the product’s excellent efficacy. Thanks to i-Q4 technology, the active ingredient adheres better to the plant leaf, coats it perfectly and penetrates very quickly into the leaf’s waxy layer for maximum crop protection.
“I am delighted that Agrokoncernas will be the gateway through which this new unique active substance will enter the Lithuanian market. It will help farmers to effectively fight grain diseases and produce healthier and more abundant harvests,” said the head of AgroTTC.
The new Inatreq Active ingredient is expected to be available to farmers in spring 2023.
