Rotam do Brasil launched a new product, Máskio (boron+zinc), to combat nematodes, improve the health of sugarcane crops and increase productivity.

The new product is a prebiotic that stimulates the development and proliferation of fungus and bacteria that are natural predators of nematodes. According to Luciano Kajihara, technical expert on research and development, the main advantage of Maskio is its diverse application and use, regardless of climate and soil conditions.

“Maskio can be applied throughout the year in all soil environments and in any moisture conditions. It is also compatible with agrochemicals used on sugarcane crops,” he added.

Kajihara also explained that nematodes are an old problem in Brazil and mostly to sugarcane, which reduce production by an average of 25%. The most common species are Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne javanica, Pratylenchus zeae, and Pratylenchus brachyurus.

“The product acts in the soil, increasing the growth of the bacteria species, Bacillus and Pseudomonas, and the fungi Trichoderma and Penicillium, which are beneficial micro-organisms, because they are nematophagous and are already found in Brazilian soil. The use of Maskio encourages their growth,” he explained.

Research done on commercial sugar and alcohol mills in the states of São Paulo and Paraná showed that as well as combating worms, Maskio also promotes root growth and accelerates budding and the development of crops. “The average result from the eight mills showed a 400-kilogram increase in sugar production per hectare. The use of the product results in higher yields,” Kajihara said in conclusion.

Source: AgroNews