Germains Seed Technology introduces ProBio SafeGuard, a new, certified organic seed treatment for spinach distributed exclusively through Holaday Seed Company.
A new addition to Germains’ seed health technology category, ProBio SafeGuard protects the plant against Pythium even before it emerges. According to Germains, the seed treatment works by establishing a barrier around the emerging plant and the developing root system that helps protect spinach crops against Pythium during germination until the first true leaf stage.
Organic spinach growers are experiencing field issues due to Pythium, a fungal disease associated with the damping off complex. The key window of opportunity for Pythium damage to occur is 0 to 14 days after planting.
“Pythium and other pathogens related to the damping off complex have a tremendous impact on the organic spinach industry,” says Ernst van Eeghen, Germains Seed Technology head of sales and marketing, Horticulture North America. “Pythium alone may cause crop losses that range anywhere from 10 percent to 40 percent or at times an even greater amount.
“Yield loss due to Pythium has a significant financial impact on growers and the supply chain. I am pleased that our research and development team based in Gilroy, California, succeeded in developing an innovative certified organic seed treatment that will be a tremendous asset for the organic spinach industry.”
Van Eeghen adds that “the development of this new product gave us the opportunity to collaborate through the field trial phase with Holaday Seed Company. Their dedication and support for this project resulted in the establishment of an exclusive distribution agreement with Holaday Seed Company.”
