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COFFEE TRIALS
Coffee Rust, a disease caused by Hemileja vastatrix, a devastatingly invasive fungus, has been plaguing coffee crops around the world for many years. Infected plants experience extreme physical deterioration and diminished fruit production. From 2012-2017, Rust caused more than $3 billion in damage and lost profits in Central and South America, and forced almost 2 million farmers off their land. Copper based pesticides, which show some efficacy against Coffee Rust, have been recorded to be highly toxic to humans, animals, beneficial insects and the environment. Alternative, “safer” pesticides generally fail to control the fungus. Mexico is actively seeking safe and effective solutions to combat the fungus and stabilize the coffee industry.
Hedge Defense Plant Protectant, categorized as a minimum risk pesticide in the United States, was tested against Hemileja vastatrix in collaboration with the the Universidad Politécnica de Chiapas (UP Chiapas).
LOCATION 1:
Hedge Defense Plant Protectant was tested against a commercial fungicide, TIMSEN (active ingredient Benzalkonium Chloride) and control for effectiveness against the control of Hemileia vastatrix. Study included a total of five product applications over time of study. Plants selected randomly for various treatments (or lack of treatment)
Evaluations were made four times over a five day period (pre-application, 1, 3 & 5 days).
All areas produced consistent findings:
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Hedge performed equally well or better than commercial fungicide in all tests
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No phytotoxic effect was present in the cultivation of coffee in any treatments
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There was no damage from Hedge regarding the beneficial fauna in the trial zone
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Hedge was selected as the best treatment method in terms of percentage of disease control.
LOCATION 2:
For approximately the past 6 years, LOCATION 2 has been going through a
disastrous crisis in the coffee sector because of the damage caused by coffee leaf
Rust. Many small coffee growers have been left with a total lack of production, and have abandoned their farms as a result. Hedge Defense Plant Protectant was put to the test as a remedy to this urgent problem.
The test consisted of two parts: an initial (field) validation, followed by a laboratory designed study.
Validation
Two lots of healthy plants (asymptomatic), one protected by Hedge Defense Plant Protectant and the other without treatment, were
transplanted to outdoor natural growing locations in close proximity plants infected with rust. 60 total plants were allowed togrow for three months, but without interference. Plants were monitored at one month intervals to record observations
including infestation data and to validate material's ability to protect against infection.
Click on images for expanded, gallery view.
Complete study details and documentation available to qualified parties.
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