Add the word “Xemium” to your vocabulary. It’s the latest fungicide family from BASF Crop Protection and while the name may roll around on the tongue a bit, the makers promise the products will offer both preventive and curative properties in the fight against fungal pathogens. U.S. registration is expected in 2012.
BASF unveiled Xemium during 2011 Commodity Classic in Tampa, Fla. The fungicide falls in the carboxamide class of chemistry. Growers may recognize this is also the family of Boscalid, a broad spectrum fungicide in this same class. Products containing Boscalid include Pristine and Endura fungicides.
However, scientists working to optimize the carboxamide class discovered another molecule called Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitors that makes Xemium different from other fungicides. Nick Fassler, BASF Technical Market Manager, says new formulations provide complete coverage of the leaf surface and systemic distribution to make sure the products moves within the leaf and to other parts of the plant—thus providing longer residual control.
Xemium will be marketed similar to BASF’s Kixor herbicide products in that it encompasses a family of products. Priaxor with Xemium fungicide is designed for row crops. Merivon fungicide will be marketed on specialty crops and Systiva is a seed treatment that contains the new active ingredient. Priaxor and Merivon will be teamed with BASF’s F500 fungicide, the active ingredient in Headline.
Listen in as Fassler talks more about the Xemium lineup and why they will benefit high yield growers:
