FMC launches Fracture fungicide

FMC Corp. is launching Fracture fungicide, a broad-spectrum, biological fungicide labeled for the prevention and control of powdery mildew, botrytis and brown rot blossom blight. Fracture is a patented fungicide labeled for use in the United States on almonds, grapes, strawberries and tomatoes.

Fracture fungicide includes a completely new mode of action for disease management, providing multi-site control in a way no other fungicide can claim. It works on contact by deforming and inhibiting fungal cell production, ultimately tearing apart the cell wall and disrupting the fungal cell membrane. Within eight hours, the fungal cell is dead, according to FMC.

The active ingredient, Banda de Lupinus albus doce (BLAD), is so new that it is not yet classified by the current FRAC group codes. BLAD is a naturally occurring seed storage protein from the sweet lupine plant.

“Fracture is an excellent resistance management tool,” said David Davies, FMC Agricultural Solutions North America segment manager. “By offering an entirely new mode of action that compliments synthetic fungicides, Fracture expands growers’ options and will help extend the lifespan of other chemistries.”

Fracture should be used as part of a complete spray program for disease control and resistance management, according to FMC.

“This is our first biological fungicide offering, and we expect many more solutions will come from our significant investment in biological discovery and development,” said Marc Hullebroeck, vice president and business director, FMC Agricultural Solutions.

With a one-day pre-harvest interval and a four-hour re-entry interval, Fracture can be applied up to five times per season, providing growers with a flexible management tool that offers quick, reliable disease control and meets or exceeds established standards, according to FMC.

All state registrations for Fracture have been received, with the exception of California and Florida, which are expected soon.