Unique fungicide gets EPA approval

The first foliar-applied biological plant activator is now on the market following its registry by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.)

For use on a wide variety of crops from potatoes to pecan trees, LifeGard, induces a systemic response in plants (ISR.)

The product, introduced by Certis USA, a biopesticide company, indicates a new approach by the pesticide market, which has increased demand for the products, because efficacy as well and crop and worker safety. Additionally, LifeGard is safe for bees and can be applied the same day as harvesting.

LifeGard is naturally occurring bacterium, discovered by Barry Jacobsen, Ph.D., with Montana University, was found to be a catalyst for the plant’s natural immune response to fungi, such as blight, as well as viruses and bacteria.

“LifeGard represents a new class of biological disease control agents. As our field development program expands, and as the trial data accumulate, we are amazed by the spectrum of efficacy and market potential of LifeGard,” said Tim Damico, Certis USA’s executive vice president.

“Because LifeGard acts so differently from most fungicides, with no direct action against a specific pathogen target site, it has great potential for use in disease management programs designed to reduce the risk and consequences of fungicide resistance,” Damico said. “In fact, Dr. Jacobsen’s fieldwork over the past decade has already demonstrated the utility of LifeGard in programs for management of fungicide-resistant Cercospora leaf spot in sugar beets, for example.”