Interfarm UK Ltd expands into the top fruit market with Regulex 10 SG‏
Interfarm UK Ltd., an affiliate of Sumitomo Chemical Company, is pleased to announce that they will be handling the new formulation of Regulex 10 SG in the top fruit market in the UK. Containing 100 g/kg of the gibberellins G4 and G7, Regulex 10 SG is a plant growth regulator for use on apples for russet control. It is formulated as a state of the art water soluble granule designed for maximum activity.
"Regulex is an established brand in the UK top fruit market but Regulex 10 SG is a new and advanced formulation of this well known and widely used product. Based on a combination of the plant regulating hormones gibberellins G4 with some G7, Regulex 10 SG is applied in the spring from early petal fall onwards in a multi-spray programme, as per the label, to control russeting and thereby improve fruit quality and marketability. It works by making the outer epidermal cells of the rapidly expanding fruitlets more elastic after petal fall, so that microscopic cracks do not develop during early fruit formation," explains Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm (UK) Ltd.
"The brown russet appearance in top fruit is caused by water getting into microscopic cracks and bursting cells within the fruit skin which then dry out and cause the russeting symptom. It is associated with high humidity early in the season. Regulex 10 SG can prevent russeting by being applied in a programme, either four sprays at dose rate of 20-40 gms/ha at seven day intervals or at 25-50 gms/ha at ten day intervals. The dose rate and spray interval depends on the variety grown and the weather-related risk," explains David.
"Regulex 10 SG is the first of a series of horticultural products from Sumitomo Chemical which will be marketed in the UK and Ireland by Interfarm UK. It is a market sector in which we will be much more involved as a consequence of this affiliation and marks the start of an important phase of product portfolio expansion for us," says David.
Regulex 10 SG contains 100 gms per kg of a mixture of gibberellins A4 and A7 in an advanced new water soluble granule formulation which gives improved uptake and rainfastness and performance, as well as significantly reducing packaging waste. It is approved for use in apples for the control of russet , at a maximum individual dose rate of 50 gms/ha up to a maximum total dose of 200 gms /ha; and also in forest tree seeds for improved germination. SOLA recommendations in other fruit are anticipated. For optimum results in apples, good coverage of the fruitlets is essential. This can best be achieved by applying Regulex 10 SG in a water volume suitable for the tree canopy size to receive good coverage using a suitable orchard sprayer. It is packed in a 100 gms pack and is available via Interfarm distributors.