Growing for the Future
Certis Belchim’s ongoing ambition is to provide integrated programmes, combining biorational and chemical products, that meet the challenges of sustainable crop production and the demands of the supply chain.
Working with researchers, growers and agronomists our trials aim to demonstrate that you can work towards a reduced residue programme, without sacrificing quality and yield.
Strawberry Powdery Mildew
So far, our G4TF initiative has focussed on powdery mildew, in June-bearer strawberry crops. Trials have tested timing and efficacy of biorational solutions, as well as programmed approaches to controlling this common, but economically challenging, disease.
Key findings from G4TF 2025
- Leaf powdery mildew infection in the G4TF programmes was not significantly different from the conventional programme
- G4TF programmes had higher yields compared to the conventional programme
- There was no significant difference in fruit quality between G4TF and conventional
What’s Next?
In 2026 we will host our final G4TF strawberry trials. We are running G4TF programmes in vines and will continue to expand the initiative into other crops, including field vegetables.
G4TF NEWS
- Resistance management is easier with Takumi
- Preventative and curative
- Great beneficial profile
Mode of Action
Takumi’s unique MOA, in addition to its vapour activity, helps give persistent control of powdery mildew. It’s preventative, curative and, thanks to a good beneficial profile, IPM compatible. With an EAMU for strawberries (20552016), Takumi has a short PHI of just three days. Takumi is crop-safe, easy to use and rainfast in one hour.
Takumi offers penetrant and translaminar activity with additional vapour properties at higher temperatures. The active, cyflufenamid, is unique to its FRAC group (U6) giving greater flexibility to alternate or combine Takumi with products that use different modes of action, such as Karma.
Our G4TF programmes position Takumi early in the programme for preventative control of powdery mildew and later to protect green fruit and developing flowers facing increasing mildew pressure.
- Formulated for crop safety
- Adjuvants improve crop safety
- Preventative, curative and eradicant
Mode of Action
A contact eradicant, Karma is ideal for IPM programmes and has just a one-day PHI. It’s based on potassium hydrogen carbonate (an approved food additive), so there are no residues or MRLs to worry about.
Karma inhibits mycelial growth and causes total collapse of spores. What’s more, it helps prevent infection by disrupting the release of hydrolytic enzymes used by fungi to infect plants.
In addition, powerful built-in surfactants promote efficacy, coverage and rain-fastness.
Our G4TF programmes embrace the curative and eradicant properties of Karma throughout the programme. Where pressure is high, tank–mix Karma for its spreading properties and for additional contact control of surface pathogens.
- Preventative botrytis and powdery mildew control
- Residue free
- Primes the plant for resilience against future infection
Mode of Action
Amylo-X contains Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum strain D747 which has three key modes of action from foliar application:
- Antimicrobial lipopeptides destroy fungi & bacteria
- lipopeptides are already in formulated product
- they are also produced when spores germinate on application
- Competition and exclusion of pathogens on the surface
- Systemic acquired resistance
Multiple modes of action make Amylo-X ideal for alternation with other Botrytis and powdery mildew products.
Our G4TF programmes apply Amylo-X in block treatments throughout flowering and fruiting stages of strawberries, up to BBCH 89.
