ARMOUR-Zen®

ARMOUR-Zen® is a natural product containing the active ingredient soluble chitosan. 

ARMOUR-Zen® has been tested over a number of seasons in wine grapes.  The 2007-2008 season put the product under pressure with 21.5% crop loss in the untreated chardonnay crop and 9.5% crop loss in the sauvignon blanc.  Regular applications of ARMOUR-Zen® through those periods of disease pressure significantly reduced the crop loss to levels similar to a full season fungicide programme.  

For off-label use, please contact your local reseller.

Background

ARMOUR-Zen® is a natural product specifically developed for the control of Botrytis cinerea in wine grapes and ornamentals and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in ornamentals.

ARMOUR-Zen® contains a naturally abundant polysaccharide called chitosan. Different chitosan-based formulations will have different biological properties depending upon their source material and their manufacturing conditions, that is to say, not all chitosan’s are the same. Two different sources of chitosan were specifically selected for ARMOUR-Zen® because of their activity against Botrytis. ARMOUR-Zen® has been formulated as a water-soluble concentrate which is easily diluted for spray application.

A recent study in the scientific journal “Plant Pathology” shows that ARMOUR-Zen® is both anti-fungal and anti-microbial. It prevents spore germination and causes existing mycelia to shrivel and lose their structural integrity, halting the spread of the disease.

Furthermore, field studies indicate that ARMOUR-Zen® has the added benefit of reducing sour rot in wine grapes. There is no withholding period for ARMOUR-Zen® because it is readily broken down in the environment and will leave no detectable residues.

Trial Data

ARMOUR-Zen® has been extensively trialed for use in wine grapes from bunch-closure through to harvest.

ARMOUR-Zen® is included in the product testing programme which is being carried out by Kiwi Vine Health in their bid to control Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa).

ARMOUR-Zen® was tested on Petunia leaves for the control of Botrytis at the University of New Hampshire.

Application

ARMOUR-Zen® is applied through standard spray equipment. As with any spray application, coverage and timing are vital in obtaining a good result. ARMOUR-Zen® should not be applied at the same time as biological control products. Contact us for further information.

Refer to the best practice information for individual crops for application timing and rate.