BASF SE : BASF specialty crop research trials show disease control benefits with Merivon® fungicide

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, January 26, 2012 -- Preliminary results from research conducted in 2011 demonstrate that Merivon® fungicide from BASF will be active on many fungal pathogens that impact pome and stone tree fruit crops each season. Research shows Merivon fungicide, which is expected to receive registration from the U.S. EPA in 2012, will provide long-lasting preventive and disease-stopping effects on specialty crops such as apples, cherries and peaches.

"Bringing the Xemium® fungicide molecule into the pome and stone fruit crops will be enormously helpful to growers," said Curtis Rainbolt, BASF Technical Service Representative. "The diseases Merivon will treat rob growers of yield every year. These include powdery mildew, apple scab, brown rot, rusts and blossom blight. We're eager to have this new tool available."

Merivonis a premix composed of pyraclostrobin-the active ingredient in Cabrio® EG fungicide-and Xemium, a new active ingredient in the carboximide family. The active molecule in Xemium is a highly effective carboximide with high mobility. It is easily absorbed through the waxy layer on leaves and then is transported throughout the plant.

Research demonstrates that Merivon provides good coverage of the leaf surface and systemic distribution to ensure optimum coverage. Additionally, research shows Merivon can be applied up to four times per season on pome fruits and up to three times on stone fruits in rotation with fungicides with different modes of action.

Research trials were set to reflect the specific climate, moisture and common disease pressures in order to help develop sound recommendations for growers in the various geographies around the country.

Apple Research

Apple research trials in 2011 with Merivon were conducted in California, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Applications were completed at 7-10 day intervals. The research found apples treated with Merivon showed no incidence of apple scab, compared to 27.2 percent disease incidence when left untreated. The research also found a 1.5 percent incidence of powdery mildew in apples when treated with Merivon compared to 86.8 percent disease incidence when left untreated.

Cherry Research

Research was completed in cherry orchards in Washington, California, Oregon and Michigan in 2011. Merivon fungicide was incorporated into a four-product treatment rotation that also included Pristine® fungicide. Cherries treated with Merivon showed 12.5 percent less incidence of powdery mildew than those treated with a current fungicide offering. Merivon also provided good control of Molinilia, cherry leaf spot and botrytis.

Peach Research

Merivonwas tested in California, Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania in 2011 for control of blossom blight, shot hole and powdery mildew in peaches. These diseases account for significant yield loss each year.

Trials included four treatments of Merivon: one each at pink, full bloom, petal fall and three weeks prior to harvest. Treated acres showed incidence reduction of as much as 50 percent.

"In studies dating back to 2009, we've found Merivon to be highly effective at controlling several diseases in key specialty crops," Rainbolt said. "We continue to be impressed with the results, knowing this product will help protect tree crops to produce marketable fruit."

For more information on BASF Crop protection products, visit.

About the Crop Protection division

With sales of €4.0 billion in 2010, BASF's Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF's Crop Protection division is to be the world's leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web ator follow us on twitter:

BASF - The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,400 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.7 billion in 2010. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at.

Merivonand Xemium are not registered by the U.S. EPA and are not available for sale. This document is for informational purposes only and is not intended to promote the sale of this product. Any sale of this product after registration is obtained shall be solely based on the EPA-approved product label, and any claims regarding product safety and efficacy shall be addressed solely by the label.

Always read and follow label directions.

Cabrio, Merivon, Pristine and Xemium are registered trademarks of BASF.

APN 12-01-088-0021xm-3