Fungal spray is getting right results

Preliminary field trials have shown Botrytis cinerea, developed to control a fruit-killing fungus, had performed similar to or better than other chemical programmes, says biotechnology firm Botry-Zen.

The fungus costs grape, kiwifruit and vegetable growers millions of dollars a year.

Chief executive John Scandrett said the Dunedin firm had conducted trials in Hawkes Bay, Martinborough and Marlborough, which had brought pleasing results.

Those areas had experienced significantly heavy botrytis infection, Scandrett told the stock exchange.

The Botrytis cinerea spray had performed at "the same level or, in many cases better than, standard chemical programmes", he said.

"The results support our long-standing belief in product performance and we are most satisfied to secure such results under what were heavy disease conditions.

"We believe the results will now be seen by the industry in a positive light and, on this basis, we feel we will have a more robust platform on which to develop our corporate goals."

Full scientific reports on end-of-season results would be available to the company and released to the market in about five weeks.

Shares in Botry-Zen closed at 7.5c yesterday, having ranged between 6c and 21c in the past year.

- NZPA