Acticuper as an alternative to copper

02 MAR

Acticuper as an alternative to copper

Copper (Cu) is one of the most widely used active substances for disease control. Its fungicidal capacity was demonstrated by Prévost in 1807, although it was Millardet (1885) who introduced the use of Bordeaux mixture against grapevine mildew (Martín, 1969). Since then, different Cu salts have been developed and widely used for different fungal and bacterial diseases.

However, the use of Cu is being restricted by new European directives on mandatory compliance with integrated disease management (Directive 2009/128/EC, article 14) and limitations on Cu doses per area per year (28 kg ha-1 in 7 years). In addition, Cu has been subject to a drastic increase in costs, which means that conventional cupric formulations are no longer considered economical, as they have been until now. For all these reasons, it is vital to research and develop optimal disease control strategies and to search for and validate products that can be an alternative or complement to traditional fungicide-bactericides .

Integrated disease control must be based on a thorough knowledge of the pathosystem, trying to reduce the use of agricultural inputs through optimal decision making. For this, the study of the epidemiology of the disease is of great importance, in addition to knowing the mode of action and the correct dosage and timing of application of the indicated products. Only with a thorough knowledge of both factors can high levels of efficiency in disease control be achieved, reducing farm costs and environmental risks. To achieve this, technical-commercial advisors must be equipped with considerable experience, updating their knowledge through regular training and obtaining information from a large number of successful trials and experiences under different agronomic conditions.

On the other hand, ECONATUR ‘s experience in the use of active ingredients of natural origin has led to the development of formulations such as ACTICUPER, which maximise the virtues of copper to complement conventional phytosanitary products. In this way, the latter can be used at reduced doses without compromising the effectiveness of the application. These results are only possible through high bioactivity of the copper ion, and by approaching the pathogen-host relationship as a complex interaction, where increasing plant resistance is vital for optimal crop development. In turn, this avoids problems of phytosanitary shutdown of crops (causing a reduction in production) and accumulation of residues, both in the crop and in the environment. As a final result, the farmer obtains a tool that is highly contrasted by public and private means, adapting to the remains of modern agriculture, and an option that is less dependent on fluctuations in the price of cupric formulations, without putting the economic viability of his farm at risk.