Eco-77 (T-77) – Bio-fungicide

Aerial Bio-Fungicide, effective against Eutypa lata and Botrytis

Eco-77 (T-77) Bio-fungicide is a wettable powder concentrate of a beneficial aerial Trichoderma harzianum strain, that colonises damaged or senescing plant tissues and prevents the entry of harmful pathogens, such as Eutypa lata and Botrytis.

Eutypa is a slow developing pathogen which eventually works its way down the vine stem into the roots killing the vine.

Dead arm of grapevine, sometimes called grape canker, is a disease of grapes caused by a deep-seated wood rot of the arms or trunk of the grapevine. As the disease progresses over several years, one or more arms may die, hence the name “deadarm”. Eventually the whole vine will die. Dead-arm has beed identified as really being two diseases, caused by two different fungi, Eutypa lata and Phomopsis viticola

Botrytis is a major disease problem in greenhouses.

Any areas where plant tissue is damaged, such as pruning wounds, where side shoots and tendrils are removed on tomatoes and cucumbers, provide an easy entry point for Botrytis. The disease thrives on the moist, humid conditions prevalent in greenhouses.

Eco-77 is registered for use on cucumbers and tomatoes, as well as for the protection of pruning wounds on grapevine. It is also effective against Botrytis on leaves, flowers and fruit. Chemical fungicides are only effective for about 10 days after application, whereas the Eco-77 fungus lives and thrives on the plant, remaining an effective barrier to disease for a very much longer period of time. For example, in grapevine trials against Eutypa lata, Trichoderma was readily isolated from pruning wounds a year after application.

Mode of Action

The fungus in Eco-77 colonizes pruning wounds and prevents pathogens like Botrytis from gaining entrance to the plant. It will colonise any plant wound and stop disease in its tracks and so is also effective against Botrytis on the leaves, flowers and fruit.

In the same way, Eco-77 protects pruning wounds on grapevines and other fruit trees, colonizing the pruning site and preventing the entry of pathogens.

The product can be applied as a full cover spray, directed spray on pruning wounds or via pruning shears with a dripper attachment. The standard dosage is 1g mixed in 2 litres of water. Eco-77 is not compatible with several broad spectrum fungicides.