CROP science company Bayer has signed a new exclusive distribution agreement with Suffolk-based Ecospray, a UK-based biopesticide company specialising in creating garlic extract-based solutions, to market a biological liquid nematicide sourced from garlic.
The product presents a biological alternative to traditional synthetic chemical nematicides in potato crops, and will be marketed in the European Union under the new name Velsinum™.
Jens Hartmann, Regional Head for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at Bayer’s Crop Science Division, said: “Velsinum will be a welcome addition into Bayer’s trusted portfolio of biological solutions and technologies supported by innovations like Velum, BioAct, Nematool and Terra MG.”
Nematodes cause more than 75 billion euros worth of damage to crops globally each year with all crops facing at least one nematode pest threat. Velsinum will offer growers a new tool against nematode root damage, with complementary benefits for both plant and soil health. Plants which can avoid root damage are better able to absorb available nutrients and also can withstand disease and pest pressure overall, all while safekeeping beneficial earthworm populations to maintain soil quality.
Ecospray’s knowledge of naturally-occurring bioactive compounds contained within garlic has allowed the company to develop effective plant protection products which take advantage of the natural nematicidal properties of garlic extract to create safe, effective and zero-residue solutions.
Ecospray CEO Peter McDonald said: “We are excited to collaborate with Bayer on Velsinum, which is fully compatible with Bayer’s existing biological portfolio. This partnership is a strong endorsement of Ecospray and its R&D capabilities developed over many years. We also greatly appreciate the ongoing support from our existing distributors in Europe Certis Belchim BV and CBC (Europe) SRL., who remain vital to our market development with our legacy product Nemguard.”
