BASF confident new fungicide will increase almond yields

California almonds should be plentiful this year, thanks to a new BASF fungicide called Merivon. 

The product was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last year for use on almonds, and it’s being used by growers in California for the first time.

“Almond trees face a variety of issues each year that threaten yield potential, including diseases and adverse weather conditions,” Nick Schweitzer, product manager for the company, said. “Our most recent research confirms Merivon fungicide can help growers manage these issues by controlling yield-robbing diseases and advanced plant health benefits, which help maximize yield potential.”

The research Schweitzer referred to showed Merivon held in check a number of diseases, including blossom blight, almond scab, shothole and Alternaria. The product’s superiority was demonstrated at a trial in Shafter, California, where it substantially outperformed competing fungicides.

When almond trees are vibrant, they have more muscle to increase the volume of nuts they produce. In two-year trials in California, trees treated with Merivon yielded an average of 125 pounds more almonds per acre than those of a competitor. The yield was even higher in trees that were untreated.