A novel prothioconazole fungicide which uses a unique formulation is claimed to offer improved cereal and OSR disease control compared to the current market leader.

Adama's new Soratel (250 g/l prothioconazole), features its latest ‘Asorbital’ formulation technology. This comprises a unique combination of two solvents and an adjuvant, developed at the global R and D facility in Israel, which improves uptake of the fungicide into the leaf and enables excellent systemic movement of the active ingredient through the plant.

“With the spring rapidly approaching, our global research and development and product registration teams have been working around the clock to make Soratel available to UK growers in time for the new spraying season,” explained Mel Wardle, Adama's fungicide product manager in the UK.

“Our mission wasn’t simply to bring yet another generic prothioconazole product to the market, but to develop an all-new formulation of this tried and tested active ingredient that offers real and tangible benefits above and beyond those already available from other prothioconazole-based fungicides.”

EU trials have shown that, gramme for gramme per hectare, Soratel consistently and reliably provided a notable improvement in disease control under a range of conditions compared to the current market leading prothioconazole product, Ms Wardle added.

“Specifically, under UK conditions, trials have shown that Soratel is up to 13% more efficacious against fusarium than the current market leader, with similar results also reported when used to treat sclerotinia in oilseed rape growing in a maritime climate,” she explained.

It can be used as a standalone product or as a tank mix partner with other fungicides to deliver a broader spectrum of activity and reliable disease control.