Our fungicides contain a unique protein-based, patented and new active ingredient, named BLAD.
BLAD is a naturally-occurring 20 kDa polypeptide formed during the germination process of sweet lupines (Lupinus albus) and is water-extracted from the germinated seeds.
The BLAD polypeptide has a powerful fungicide activity even when compared with chemical counterparts, with the advantage of being an organic-based product, non-toxic for humans, animals and environment.
The BLAD´s antifungal activity results from a combined action at several targets at the fungal cell. As a lectin, BLAD binds strongly to chitin. In addition, BLAD is known to possess ‘exochitinase’ and ‘endochitosanase’ activities. In the presence of BLAD major changes also occur at the level of the cell membrane, as data definitely indicate that BLAD enters into the cell. Finally, BLAD displays chelating activity for several divalent cations. This activity may disturb the microbial cell homeostasis and ultimately lead to cell death. Although, a large array of tests has firmly established the nontoxicity of BLAD to plants, insects, and higher animals.
This highly complex and multitarget mechanism of action, has been corroborated by its inclusion in a new category, M12, of the 2016 issue of the FRAC Code List©. In February 2017, the FRAC Committee has introduced a new category and code for biological fungicides with multiple modes of action (BM). BLAD moved from the previous group M12 to the new group BM 01.
All the agricultural formulations based on BLAD, make them the right partners for a sustainable agriculture. BLAD-products are flexible tank-mix options that can be mixed with other registered products and used as key products in disease management programs.