May 19, 2010

Devgen US Inc. today announced the launch of the Enclosure® nematicide in the U.S. for use in commercial peanut production.

The U.S. annually produces around 1.8 million tons of peanuts on 1.2 million acres (500,000 hectares). This makes the U.S. the third largest producer of peanuts in the world and one of the world's leading peanut exporters, with an average annual export between 200,000 to 250,000 tons.

Devgen's initial target markets for Enclosure® are Georgia, Alabama and Florida, which account for approximately 57% of all peanuts grown in the U.S.

Root-knot nematodes and soil-borne diseases* cost peanut growers millions of dollars in yield losses. The dual activity of Enclosure® allows farmers to manage several pathogens that reduce quality and yield. Enclosure® suppresses the most serious root-knot nematode pest, Meloidogyne arenaria, as well as other nematode species. Enclosure® also suppresses Sclerotinia blight (Sclerotinia minor) and peg & pod rot (Rhizoctonia solani).

Devgen is pleased to provide the peanut grower with a new solution to suppress nematodes, as well as soil-borne diseases, in an environment where the choice of products is becoming increasingly limited. Enclosure® also offers advantages from a toxicological, environmental, residue and worker exposure point of view.

The product will be distributed by Helena Chemical Company, a leading supplier of crop protection products and services in the U.S.

* The diseases that are caused by fungal pathogens which persist (survive) in the soil matrix and in residues on the soil surface are defined as soil-borne diseases.

Website: http://www.devgen.com

Published: May 19, 2010