AgroFresh Solutions has secured approval from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the use of its LandSpring technology on 12 additional crops beyond tomatoes and peppers.
The pre-planting application can now be used on the following seedling crops: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, Cantaloupe melons, cauliflowers, cucumbers, aubergines, gherkins, muskmelons, bell peppers, non-bell peppers, summer squash, tomatoes and watermelons.
EPA approval of these expanded crops more than doubles the acreage on which LandSpring can be used and now covers most transplanted seedling crops.
LandSpring is currently registered for use in the US, with the exception of California, where registration has been filed and is expected in 2018/19.
AgroFresh said it plans to roll out global distribution over the next two years as registrations are approved for priority markets.
LandSpring maintains seedling quality through the transplanting process and minimises the impact of plant stress both during transport and in the field.
Applied to seedlings 1-3 days prior to transplanting it mitigates the negative effects of plant stresses such as heat, cold, drought, excess water, salinity, fertility, disease, insect damage and physical damage.
Plants are then able to establish more quickly in the field and maintain better health early in the growing season, which maximises yield potential for growers.
“The results experienced during research trials and by our current tomato customers are proving LandSpring to be highly effective,” said global brand manager Tim Malefyt.
“We are excited to be able to offer the protection that LandSpring provides to these additional crops to help mitigate the widespread issue of transplant shock, reduce seedling mortality and maximise yield potential.”
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