Viva... Viva... Vivando, Viva... Viva... Vivando, filled the air as one of the biggest chemical companies in the world, BASF, launched a creative mode of action with cutting edge technology for the control of powdery mildew in ornamentals. Time almost audio recorded voice of Mr. Patrick Ngugi, Country Manager-Kenya, Crop Protection and public health asked, “Are you afraid of powdery mildew? Are you concerned by the ever increasing threat of resistance build up by fungicides? Are you concerned of scotching flowers and leaving residue? Are you concerned of WHO class of your choice product, Can you achieve your goals in farming without IPM? Do you use wetter from time to time?” Each of the questionreceived a resourcing ‘Yes’ from the over 150 growers in attendance. Today I stand in front you to offer your solution, Vivando.

Launching the new product at a Naivasha Hotel, Mr. Ngugi said Vivando should mostly be used for preventive measures against powdery mildew though it has curative action. He assured farmers of the safety of the fungicide on beneficial predatory insects like bees, birds and earthworms. Adding that the fungicide has excellent components in the control of powdery mildew.

 

As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility.

In East Africa, BASF focuses on key vegetable crops such as green beans, tomatoes and green peas as well as ornamentals and cereals. As part of its growth strategy for Africa, the company plans to extend and enhance its services to additional countries and farmers across important crops.

He further revealed that plans to introduce more innovative products into the Kenya markets are underway.

A summary of the product benefits:
• Creative mode of action: Multi-Level-Activity.
• Excellent preventative control of powdery mildew.
• Soft treatment for your roses: no phytotoxicity, no visible residues.
• Perfect fit for spray rotations and resistance management, no cross resistance with other powdery mildew fungicides.
• WHO classification (Green), safe to the user.
• Safe for predatory mites and other beneficial organisms, IPM compatible.

Mode of Action
Vivando® is a fungicide with a unique mode of action, which inhibits the fungus at different stages of growth and infection. Thus, Vivando® exhibits Multi-Level-Activity and effectively protects the plant from powdery mildew attack.

Vivando® Multi-level-activity Mode of action.
• Disturbed actin function leads to undirected growth and destabilization of hyphal cells

Infection
• Abnormal appressorium
• Infection of plant tissue stopped

Growth

• Bifurcated hyphal tips
• Bursting of hyphal tip with leakage of cytoplasm
• Collapsed mycelium

Sporulation
• Abnormal conidiophores with irregular septation
• No spore formation, no new infections

Application
Vivando® provides optimal powdery mildew control when applied in a preventative way, and is the ideal fungicide to be part of your spray program. It is recommended for use in a spray program that rotates fungicides with different modes of action such as Meltatox® and Collis®. However, Local conditions must be taken into account when determining powdery mildew control programs.

Conclusion
Growers preparing their spray programs for powdery mildew will have many options to choose including Vivando. Distributed by Elgon chemicals, the product will offer the ever elusive solution.