Demildex

General Information

“The fungicidal/antibacterial properties of copper oxychloride are based on copper, which is slowly dissolved in moisture on the plant leaf in the presence of weak organic acids. As plant infections take place during rain, small amounts of copper are released on the plant surface to kill or inhibit germination of micro-organisms.”

-Professor JM Kotzê, University of Pretoria

Copper fungicides are manufactured using scrap copper, which results in the presence of impurities, including heavy metals. Demildex is produced using only the highest quality copper, reducing the number and amount of impurities well below the international standards.

Tenacity coefficient is a measure of the product’s ability to stick to the plant and its resistance to weathering from rain and irrigation. The tenacity coefficient increases with a decrease in particle size. Our ultra-fine Demildex sticks extremely well to the plant.

Particle size to tenacity coefficient

2.63:0.449

5.53:0.370

Optimal particle size is a key factor in the outstanding performance of Demildex. One to two-micron particles drastically out-perform the larger particles found in most copper oxychloride products. Our smaller particles allow for greater fungicidal and antibacterial activity.

Mean particle size of comparable copper products

Demildex

1.58

Product A

3.13

Product B

3.77

Product C

3.13

Copper chloride has a phytotoxic effect on plants and is therefore undesirable, but is an intermediate compound of all copper oxychloride and copper hydroxide products. The level of copper chloride in Demildex is directly proportional to the reaction time. Because of the long oxygenation time of our production process, Demildex has minimal copper chloride levels (between 0.5% and 0.9%). Other brands tested as high as 2% copper chloride.

Treating Common Fungal Infections in Plants

Leaf Curl in Peaches and Nectarines

Leaf curl or leaf crinkle is one of the most common plant fungi that affect the leaves. It produces a thick and warty texture that is fairly easy to identify. It can infect groves suddenly and spreads quickly in specific moisture conditions. Leaf curl is most common in spring when wetting lasts for several hours during cool temperatures.

Other than changing the appearance and sometimes the colour of the leaves, leaf curl can significantly reduce the fruit production of the infected trees. The fruit that is produced will sometimes have radish pimples that cause them to drop early.

Leaving leaf curl untreated will cause a year-over-year increase in the spread of the disease, which in turn causes a continuous drop in production. Treating leaf curl involves the immediate clearing of fallen leaves and fruit, separation of the diseased portions of the plants, and application of an effective fungicide like Demildex.

Black Spots on Roses

Another common fungus is known as diplocarpon rosae and is found on the leaves of roses. You can identify diplocarpon rosae by the black leaf spots surrounded by yellow discolouration. This fungus spreads through water to other parts of the plant and to other plants nearby. It produces spores on the surface of the leaves throughout the winter and infects the new leaf growth in spring. Spots form about two weeks after the spores appear.

The rapid loss of leaves caused by diplocarpon rosae can weaken the infected roses and make them more vulnerable to other types of infections. As the growth of the fungus overtakes the growth of new leaves, the plant loses the ability to sustain itself and reproduce. New strains continue to evolve, creating more resistant fungal infections that are more difficult to treat.

Prevention of diplocarpon rosae is preferable to treatment. Keeping water off of leaves is recommended, as is pruning and clearing of fallen leaves and dead plants. Prune six to eight inches under any infected areas and clean the pruning shears regularly. Demildex can be used as a spot treatment or preventative measure.

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum)

Anthracnose, which is a collective name for the diseases pepper spot, blossom blight, and degreening burn, is a common fungal infection found around the world on berries, mangos, grapes, avocados, and hundreds of others. It causes a high level of damage in deciduous shrubs and trees and often requires treatment before and after harvest.

Anthracnose causes withering, wilting, and death in trees and shrubs. It affects the growth of shoots and leaves and produces discoloured lesions and sunken spots all over the plant, often including the twigs, branches, and bark.

Prevention of anthracnose is vital to the survival of crops should they be exposed to the fungal genus that causes the disease. Choosing disease-free seeds and ensuring proper field sanitation is the first tier of defence. Once plants are infected, separate and dispose of the infected plant material and treat the remaining crops with Demildex.