ChampION⁺⁺ contains 300 g/kg copper as copper hydroxide and features advanced formulation technology, which allows low rates of active ingredient to be applied per ha.

BioGro-certified as an approved crop input for organic growers, ChampION++ is registered for control of a wide range of fungal and bacterial diseases in many common vegetable crops, including asparagus, beans, brassicas, cucurbits, lettuce, onions, peas, potatoes and tomatoes.

Nufarm technical specialist, Alan Cliffe, says the new fungicide’s key point of difference that it contains highly uniform copper hydroxide particles, which on average, are among the smallest size available for this type of chemistry. “ChampION⁺⁺ is all about doing more with less. Because of the way it has been formulated, it provides excellent coverage and disease control with low use rates.”

Not only are the copper hydroxide crystalline particles contained in ChampION⁺⁺ smaller than most other coppers currently available, they are highly consistent, so the new formulation delivers a greater number of smaller, more precisely shaped particles (average size 1.8 micron) to give better coverage of the leaf surface.

Because smaller particles have proportionately greater surface area, Cliffe says the result is a higher release of Cu⁺⁺ ions, which in turn means lower use rate and subsequent environmental loading. “It’s a unique combination.”

Other benefits include the WDG formulation, which is low-dust, stable, free flowing, easily pourable and quick to disperse in water. Importantly the formulation is also an appealing green colour, which combined with the low use rate, means less visible residue on produce.

ChampION⁺⁺ contains a highly efficient and environmentally friendly biodispersant which suits both conventional and organic use, and paper packaging means there is no plastic container to dispose of after use.

Cliffe says the new formulation was a global development project by Nufarm with the specific goal of raising the bar for modern copper treatments.

As well as vegetables and bushfruit, ChampION⁺⁺ is registered for pipfruit, stonefruit, avocado, citrus and grapes.

For more information please contact your Farmlands horticultural specialist or visit: www.nufarm.co.nz.