Jan 13, 2020

Organic farming-ready fungicide Romeo launched by Wilbur-Ellis

Wilbur-Ellis Co., a producer in precision agriculture, crop protection, seed and nutritional products, announced Jan. 13 the launch of ROMEO, a new and innovative fungicide.

Exclusively distributed by Wilbur-Ellis, Romeo is a preventive biofungicide that functions the same way vitamins work for humans. Romeo enables plants to develop pathogen-fighting compounds to prevent development of those pathogens into disease. By introducing plants to a non-living fungus, Romeo signals plant pathways to enable the production of plant internal responses which can then effectively prevent disease development.

Because of its propensity for synergy with other active ingredients, Romeo can be used as a foundational component, allowing for more robust disease-management programs that incorporate other products. In addition, Romeo is organic-farming ready – it’s an all-natural product that leaves behind no residue. 

 “We have been evaluating many biofungicide candidates in field trials over the past few years, and this product clearly stands out in its level of consistency and efficacy in powdery and downy mildew management programs,” said Wilbur-Ellis Key Actives and Biopesticides Portfolio Manager Jesse Rosales.

Rosales continued, “I see this product becoming a disease-management foundation not only in organic systems, but also in conventional tree fruit, tree nut, vine and vegetable cropping systems. Its host-plant-inducing mode of action makes it a great complement to pathogen-attacking biofungicides like Sonata from Wilbur-Ellis.” 

Wilbur-Ellis offers a complete line of agricultural inputs, including crop protection chemicals, organic and sustainable options, fertilizer, seed and technology. The company has been family-owned and -operated since the beginning, nearly 100 years ago, and its local expertise, unparalleled knowledge and innovation-driven approach to the agricultural industry gives every Wilbur-Ellis grower the advantage they need for higher yields and a larger return on investment.