News Archive
Successful Trial Results
Successful results from trial of foliar disease product in Europe.
Results confirm efficacy and commercially competitive profile
Eden Research plc, the UK’s leading agrochemical and pharmaceutical company, is pleased to announce the results from its successful foliar disease control trials of its product 3A on grapevines in Europe.
Highlights of the results are:
- In year 1 of the regulatory efficacy trials, encapsulated terpene product 3A shows Botrytis control efficacy similar to two of the leading competitive products available on the market, in a trend seen consistently across a total of six sites in three countries
- The application rates used in the trials make the product commercially competitive with competitor products
- No phytotoxic symptoms or differences in crop vigour were observed in any of the trials
- The mixing and application process of the product formulations under study were unproblematic
- Comparable programmes conducted to assess Eden’s product for efficacy against Downy Mildew and Powdery Mildew in grapes showed similar results
The trials to assess Botrytis control efficacy were conducted at sites in Spain, Portugal and Greece and followed EU Regulatory guidelines. The results provide the first of the statutory two years of efficacy data required for regulatory approval. By late 2006, the second year’s data will be available to enable a license application to be processed by the Company.
The Botrytis control product, which is being produced to treat the fungal pathogen which infests and destroys crops, was tested at rates ranging from 2 to 8 litres of product/ha. A rate of 3 - 4 litres/ha showed excellent disease control, even under heavy disease pressure, with a minimal dose response being achieved at higher application rates. Such dose response indicates that the use of higher rates is not necessary to achieve disease control.
Untreated grapes in the trials showed low to moderate disease infection with the incidence of infection, ranging from 17% to 52%. Severity of infection in untreated grapes varied from 1 to 5 (0 = no infection, whilst 9 = extremely severe). The control achieved in the trial series using Eden product 3A consistently reduced Botrytis (Grey Mould) disease severity by over 77%, and cut disease incidence by over 50%.
The disease control results achieved were similar to the established comparator products Scala, and Rovral, which are widely used in Botrytis control regimes throughout European, New World and Southern Hemisphere vineyards.
Botrytis control using Eden’s product on other susceptible crops, such as strawberries, will be confirmed during 2006 and 2007 to extend authorised uses from 2007/8 onwards.
Tim Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer of Eden commented:
“We are delighted with these results, which demonstrate a level of efficacy for the Eden product consistent with that achievable by other Botrytis products on the market. In addition, the safety profile of our terpene formulation will provide a significant advantage in the management of Botrytis and supports the attractiveness and competitiveness of Eden’s product profile.
“These results confirm the commercial potential of the Eden product and allow us to prepare for final registration trials this year, whilst continuing dialogue with potential commercial partners.”
For further information:
| Tim Griffiths, Chief Executive | Eden Research plc | Tel: 01993 868844 |
| Jonathon Brill /Caroline Stewart | Financial Dynamics | Tel: 020 7831 3113 |
The Directors of Eden Research accept responsibility for this announcement