Successful MustGrow Test Results: Efficacious Control of Canola Clubroot Disease in Greenhouse Soil
- MustGrow has confirmed disease control of Clubroot resting spores in greenhouse soil tests.
- Outstanding Efficacy: 96.1% control at 0.5 gal/acre and 98.5% control at 10 gal/acre.
- Clubroot is a devastating soil-borne disease-causing canola crop loss with no effective treatment options currently available.
Saskatoon, SK, August 26, 2020 – MustGrow Biologics Corp. (CSE: MGRO) (OTC: MGROF) (FRA: 0C0) (the “Company“, “MustGrow“) is pleased to announce successful greenhouse soil test results of its patented mustard-derived bio-pesticide on clubroot resting spores (Plasmodiophora brassicae) (“Clubroot”). With successful greenhouse soil efficacy, MustGrow will advance to larger scale Clubroot field tests in 2021. Study results and applicability are patent-protected under MustGrow’s existing suite of issued patents.
Highlights:
- 96.1% disease control at 0.5 gal/acre application rate
- 96.5% disease control at 2.5 gal/acre application rate
- 98.5% disease control at 10 gal/acre application rate
Clubroot is a rapidly-spreading disease pathogen destroying canola, one of Canada’s more profitable crops with over 20 million acres grown annually. Industry experts conservatively estimate C$500 million in annual canola crop losses in Canada caused by Clubroot. Current measures cannot eradicate Clubroot completely – they are only intended to slow down the spread and reduce the incidence and severity of the disease. Some field infections may lead to 100% crop loss.
Greenhouse Soil Study: Remarkable Disease Control at Low Applications
Utilizing MustGrow’s signature mustard-derived liquid bio-pesticide TerraMGTM, through an independent third-party testing facility, Discovery Seed Labs Ltd., MustGrow has confirmed disease control of Clubroot at 5 different application rates: 10 gal/acre, 5 gal/acre, 2.5 gal/acre, 1 gal/acre, and 0.5 gal/acre. The application rates were calculated based on the weight of the top 6.7 inches of soil in one acre. Planting occurred 7 days after soil treatment; then roots were assessed 7 weeks after planting.
All of MustGrow’s treatment application rates showed a significant “control” reduction in the amount of Clubroot present in the root material at the conclusion of the experiment. The greatest reduction was seen in the 10 gal/acre application rate which had a 98.5% reduction of spores compared to the non-treated sample. Of particular significance, 96.1% disease control was measured at the exceptionally low application rate of 0.5 gal/acre.
“It is great to see that TerraMG continued to perform in the latest round of tests. With this new data we now plan on continuing the Clubroot work to the final field testing stage to potentially provide a valuable crop-protection tool for farmers,” remarked Colin Bletsky, COO of MustGrow. “I am very hopeful that we can potentially have a key piece of the package to help growers manage this disease.”
In June 2020, MustGrow reported 100% control of Clubroot spores in a laboratory setting. MustGrow’s crop protection technology has consistently demonstrated efficacious benefits similar to chemistry-based “chemical” products without the harmful safety profile often associated with these chemical products. The need for bio-pesticides is increasing as farmers, consumers and regulators seek ‘natural biological’ alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides.
Clubroot: Devastating Canada’s Canola Crop (1)(2)
Clubroot is a serious soil-borne disease caused by a fungus called Plasmodiophora brassicae. Swellings or galls form on the roots of canola plants, which may ultimately cause premature death of the plant. Once a field is infested, there are no economical control measures currently available that can eradicate Clubroot, with some field infections leading to 100% crop loss. Since 2003, thousands of infested fields have been identified across canola growing regions in Canada.
Alarmingly, some resistant Clubroot varieties with high spore-loads are heavily infesting canola fields. The endemic disease is also spreading to areas of Canada where Clubroot has not historically been an issue because the spores travel so easily – transmitting through soil and trash for example. This is especially problematic for vehicles moving between field properties, including oil production equipment, farming machinery, vehicles, etc.
Many farmers are taking serious precautionary measures, including lengthening crop rotations, seeking Clubroot-resistant varieties, and cleaning soil off between fields – all proactive techniques inversely impacting crop economics. Current measures cannot eradicate Clubroot completely; they are only intended to slow down the spread and reduce the incidence and severity of the disease. Practical, economic and effective solutions for large scale canola crops are still being investigated.
(1) Source: www.albertafarmexpress.ca
(2) Source: www.canolacouncil.org
About MustGrow
MustGrow is a publicly traded (CSE: MGRO) (OTC: MGROF) (FRA: 0C0) agriculture biotech company focused on providing natural science-based biological solutions for high value crops, including fruits & vegetables. MustGrow has designed and owns a United States EPA-approved natural solution that uses the mustard seed’s natural defence mechanism to protect plants from pests and diseases. Over 110 independent tests have been completed, validating MustGrow’s safe and effective signature products. The product, in granule format, is EPA-approved across all key U.S. states and by Health Canada’s PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) as a bio-pesticide for high value crops such as in fruit & vegetables. MustGrow has now concentrated a liquid format which it’s calling TerraMG, and with regulatory approval, could be applied through standard drip or spray equipment, improving functionality and performance features.
The Company has approximately 37 million basic common shares issued and outstanding. For further details please visit www.mustgrow.ca.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Corey Giasson”
Director & CEO
Phone: +1-306-668-2652
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