Scholar®: post-harvest quality and safety solution for stonefruit

For the third consecutive year, a special authorisation has been granted by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment for the marketing and use of Scholar® in the stonefruit post-harvest.

Scholar® is a persistent fungicide with both preventive and curative effects, as well as low toxicity. It is an effective solution against rot caused by Monilia spp., Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer, minimising potential claims at destination as a result of diseases. The active ingredient, fludioxonil, was the result of research by Syngenta, with the collaboration of the Valencian company TECNIDEX in its post-harvest development.

The results obtained in recent years confirm that Scholar® is a fungicide that offers long-lasting protection and great safety. Its efficiency ratio surpasses 90% in all stonefruit varieties, meaning that this product is the best post-harvest solution for a safer treatment, storing and export.

Left: Inoculated peaches without post-harvest treatment
Right: Inoculated peaches treated with Scholar at 0.3%

Furthermore, it is a product of safe application (classified by EPA-USA-as Reduced risk low toxicity fungicide) and the level of residues found in treated stonefruit stood well below the MRLs established.

Thus, Scholar® allows producers and traders in Spain, the European Union's largest stonefruit exporter, with over 800,000 tonnes, to have access to an essential tool to be able to supply healthy, quality fruit to the markets, both domestic and international.

The results of the 2013 Scholar® campaign have been excellent; so much so, that the volume of fruit treated with Scholar® has increased by 90%, reaching over 150 million kilos. Market leaders have come to trust TECNIDEX and Syngenta, increasing by 250% the number of centres who have opted to use this product, allowing them to supply healthy fruit to the market and ensuring the control of major post-harvest stonefruit diseases.

Left: Inoculated nectarines without post-harvest treatment
Right: Inoculated nectarines treated with Scholar at 0.3%

In 2013, some of the fruits treated with Scholar® included peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries, flat peaches and platerines, which were exported to countries of the European Union, as well as to the United States, Russia, Brazil, Colombia, UAE, South Africa and China, among others.

Syngenta and TECNIDEX, partner and exclusive distributor of Scholar®, provide stonefruit producers and traders with integrated solutions to help control all major pre- and post-harvest stonefruit diseases, as well as assistance from a professional team.

Contact:
Vanessa Garrido (Marketing)
TECNIDEX, Técnicas de Desinfección, S.A.U.
C/ Ciudad de Sevilla, 45A
Paterna, Valencia, Spain
T: +34 961323415
M: +34 679540925
vanessagarrido@tecnidex.es
www.tecnidex.es

Syngenta España
Ribera de Loira, 8-10 3ª planta
28042 Madrid, Spain
T: +34 91 387 64 10
www.syngenta.com