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1/10/2026
New fungicide emerges as others are under pressure
The recent introduction of a new mode of action fungicide for the control of Yellow Sigatoka in bananas has been welcomed as the industry confronts the likely phasing out of other products.
Australian Banana Growers’ Council Director and grower, Andrew Serra said fungicides, such as chlorothalonil and mancozeb, have been the backbone of spray programs but were currently under review.
“They will more than likely disappear in the next five to 10 years,” he said.
The introduction of Verpixo® Adavelt® active fungicide from Corteva Agriscience is timely to introduce into the spray program for effective disease control.
“We’re losing product, we’re losing tech, and if new technology comes to the market and it works and it’s cost effective, it’s got to be a good thing,” Mr Serra said.
Verpixo® has been included in the spray program on the Serra property, at Tolga, on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland.
The enterprise supplies bananas all year around and they rely on regular fungicide applications to keep disease at bay.
Tolga banana grower, Andrew Serra, welcomed the introduction of Verpixo® Adavelt® active Fungicide as a tool to control Yellow Sigatoka.
“We spray every two weeks... regardless,” Mr Serra said. “At the moment we’ve got low pressure, but that’s because we’ve been keeping on top of the leaf disease. If you don’t spray regularly and on time, then it takes six, 12, 18 months to get back on track.”
“With Verpixo being a new product, and a new mode of action, it just gives us another tool to fight leaf disease.”
He said the Australian banana industry was large but used relatively small amounts of chemical so it was pleasing to see Corteva making an investment for Australian growers.
“When companies bring new tech into the market and have that confidence that they will make money out of it, they also put forward confidence that the industry will be long term and viable.”
Corteva North Queensland Territory Account Manager, Peter Becke said Yellow Sigatoka was a consistent threat for banana growers, which is why banana growers rely on a year-round fungicide program to keep it at bay.
He said growers could access a range of fungicides for their spray program however there are some challenges with impending regulatory reviews and the risk of fungicide resistance.
“There are also reports of resistance across some of those groups, so resistance management is critical,” he said.
The introduction of Verpixo provides growers with a new mode of action (group 21) as an effective disease control tool and a resistance management option.
“Verpixo's translaminar and acropetal systemic movement allows it to penetrate and spread through treated leaves, providing powerful, protection against Yellow Sigatoka from within the leaf.” Mr Becke said.
“As a group 21 Mode of Action (MOA) fungicide, Verpixo adds a new fungicide MOA group to Yellow Sigatoka management in bananas, strengthening resistance management strategies for the industry as a whole.”
He said Verpixo should be targeted at low disease pressure windows in conditions conducive to infection following de-leafing, allowing growers to “start clean and stay clean”.
“When you know that you’ve got disease pressure coming, Verpixo will help keep the disease out and keep as much green productive leaf to fill your bunches.”
Australian field trials conducted across the industry, primarily in Innisfail and Tully over several seasons demonstrated highly effective control of Yellow Sigatoka.
Verpixo is to be used in rotation with other modes of action throughout the spray program with farmers limited to a maximum of 3 applications in a 12-month period and no consecutive applications of Verpixo.
Mr Becke said it fits nicely into growers existing fungicide programs.
As well as good control of disease and a new mode of action, the product has a wide range of other benefits.
“Verpixo is rainfast in three hours, with much of the uptake occurring in the first hour,” Mr Becke said.
“It’s an SC formulation which mixes well and is compatible with a wide range of products.”
“Importantly, its low toxicity and minimal impact on non-target organisms allow it to be successfully utilised as part of an IPM program.
“There are no re-entry restrictions, and a short harvest interval means that farming operations continue with minimal disruption.”
Mr Becke said the initial response from growers had been very positive.
“It has been accepted eagerly by growers; they’re wanting access to new technology and are looking to the future for sustainable banana production”
Verpixo is registered for use across multiple fruit and vegetable crops for multiple plant diseases. For more information contact Peter Becke.
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