Albaugh wins California fungicide registration for oomycete diseases

Crop protection specialist Albaugh LLC has received registration in California for a fungicide that battles a major disease afflicting a variety of fruit, vegetable and nut crops.

Soilborne oomycete diseases, including pythium and Phytophthora spp., afflict many crops through diseases including potato blight and downy mildews on many host plants including grapes, broccoli, lettuce and leafy greens, onions and cucurbits.

The company received approval from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation for the trademarked Thrive 4M fungicide (EPA Reg. No. 42750-391) in the state of California.

“Thrive 4M is a systemic fungicide that contains the active ingredient metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam),” Albaugh said in a news release. “It provides superior protection against soilborne oomycete diseases, including pythium and Phytophthora spp. in potato, tree nut, fruit, vegetable, and other labeled crops and may be applied using ground, aerial or chemigation methods. The unique formulation technology of Thrive 4M also provides excellent handling and storage.”

“Thrive 4M is a great addition to Albaugh’s fungicide portfolio that strengthens our product offerings for customers in our California specialty crop markets,” Andy Bogue, Albaugh’s U.S. sales director – crop protection, said in the release. “Not only does it provide an alternative option for disease protection on a myriad of crops, it also gives growers the added benefit of improved plant stands,
root health, and crop vigor.”

Founded in 1979, the privately held Ankeny, Iowa-based Albaugh calls itself the world’s largest supplier of post-patent crop protection products. It includes an expanding portfolio of crop protection products, seed treatment platform and other specialty products. Albaugh operates plants in North America, Mexico and Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific.