New BASF biological fungicide offers flexibility in grape and strawberry disease management

• Serifel^® uses naturally-occurring bacteria to create a shield of protection against botrytis on grapes and strawberries
• The most concentrated biological fungicide on the market
• Lower application rates and minimal spray deposits at harvest
• Approved for organic certification

Melbourne, Australia – June 24, 2019 – Serifel^® Biofungicide has been approved by relevant regulatory bodies for use in grapes and strawberries in Australia.

“Serifel offers growers a ground-breaking biological alternative to chemical solutions for botrytis control,” said Will Huynh, Functional Crop Care Manager at BASF. “This launch is a clear step forward for biological crop protection and the first stage in our expansion of BASF Australia’s portfolio of biological products”.

Unlike other biological botrytis solutions, Serifel is a pure spore formulation made up of viable spores of a bacillus: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain MBI600.

The spores prevent and control botrytis infection in three ways. First, after application, the spores quickly multiply and colonise the plant surface. Second, they occupy the space botrytis spores might otherwise land on, and deplete nutrients that the disease would need to feed on. Third, once multiplied on the plant surface, the Serifel spores also form antifungal metabolites; if botrytis spores are present, those metabolites disrupt their cell formation.

The pure spore formulation makes Serifel the most concentrated biological fungicide on the market, providing effective disease protection at low application rates that – in contrast to other products – does not create any off-putting odour. Another feature of the product is that it leaves minimal deposits on the fruit.

“Although it can be used throughout the season, we expect growers to find Serifel especially valuable around harvest time,” added Huynh. “With no withholding period, table grape and strawberry growers can protect their fruit right through to picking without compromising the appeal of the harvested crop”.

An added advantage of Serifel is that its spores are extremely stable and adaptable to varying environmental conditions. They are more rain fast than competitive biological products and remain productive over a wider temperature range, with no special handling or storage requirements.

Serifel builds on the biological heritage of BASF’s soil inoculant range as the company continues to expand and diversify its portfolio of crop protection and yield-building products. Serifel Biofungicide has been approved for organic certification.

Both the introduction of more biologicals and softer, more targeted chemical solutions will help growers with resistance management and progressively reduce environmental impact.

BASF has a pipeline of around 20 new agricultural solutions to be launched in Australia over the next five years, investing around €507 million (over $800 million) on crop protection research globally each year. In 2015, BASF established its Agricultural Solutions Research Farm in Tamworth, with the aim of testing and identifying suitable products for Australian conditions.  

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2018, our division generated sales of €6.2 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

About BASF in Australia and New Zealand

BASF serves key industries in the agriculture, coatings, construction, manufacturing and mining sectors, and posted sales of about €432 million in Australia and New Zealand in 2018. As of the end of 2018, the company had 552 employees and operated 12 production sites across agricultural solutions, performance products and functional materials and solutions. BASF has been active in Australia for more than 90 years, and for about 60 years in New Zealand. Further information is available on the Internet at www.basf.com/au.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.