BLOSSOM PROTECT™

Identification & Functionality

Agrochemical Functions

Anti-Microbial Agent

Technologies

Agrochemicals

Product Families

Agrochemicals — Adjuvants & Formulation Ingredients

Preservatives & Antimicrobials

Agrochemicals — Crop Protection & Pest Control

Insecticides

Active Ingredients

Aureobasidium pullulans strain DSM 14940*	25.80%
Aureobasidium pullulans strain DSM 14941*	25.80%
Other Ingredients	48.40%
Total	100%

Features & Benefits

Agrochemicals Features

Approved For Organic Farming,

Increased Disease Suppression

Advantages

• Prevents bloom infection due to fire blight
• Ideal for use in Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Allowed for use in organic pome fruit production
• Highly effective alternative to antibiotics
• No development of pathogen resistance
• No pre-harvest interval
• No residues
• Safe for humans and animals
• Harmless to bees and beneficials
• Applied with standard equipment, bees are not a suitable application technique

Applications & Uses

Markets

Agriculture & Feed

Applications

Agriculture & Feed — Agricultural Crops

Fruits,

Nuts

Applicable Crop

Apple,

Pear,

Pomegranate,

Pomelo,

Walnut

Application Technique

Foliage Applied,

Ground Soil Applied,

Sprayers

Insecticide Target Species

Blight

Applications

• Application Information

1. The efficacy of Blossom Protect is optimized when used in combination with Buffer Protect. Buffer Protect has been designed to work synergistically with Blossom Protect. Thorough coverage of the canopy is necessary for good control. DO NOT rely on bees to inoculate flowers.

• Application Rate

1. Apply 1.25 lbs/acre of Blossom Protect along with 8.75 lbs/acre of Buffer Protect in 50-200 gallons of water per 1 acre. For low-volume spray, apply with agitation in 20 gallons of water/acre. Blossom Protect is packaged in a 2.5 lb container which will treat 2 acres.

• Application Directions

1. When preparing the spray solution, start with large bag(s) of Buffer Protect first and add Blossom Protect, the active ingredient, last. In 50 to 200 gallons of water, add 8.75 lbs/acre of Buffer Protect and then 1.25 lbs/acre of Blossom Protect. Thorough coverage of the entire orchard is necessary for maximum protection. Alternate row spraying is not recommended. Application Timing If a forecast system, such as Cougar Blight or Maryblyt, is available: Apply Blossom Protect 1-2 days before an infection date (EIP, Epiphytic Infection Potential >70). If conditions for infection continue, repeat the application after two days. For optimum protection, use preventive applications at 10%, 40%, 70% and 90% open blossoms (BBCH 61-67 phenological stages). For susceptible pome fruit varieties, the product may, in some seasons, enhance russeting when applied during late blossom. Do not apply when fruit is present.

Mode Of Action

Blossom Protect contains highly competitive microorganisms which block the fire blight pathogen, Erwinia amylovora, from colonizing the blossoms. The biopesticide product works through natural competition for space and nutrients between pathogens and antagonists. Blossom Protect aggressively colonizes the blossom and the nectaries of the flower, blocking the site of fire blight infection. Blossom Protect acts as a competitive antagonist and does not directly attack the metabolism of the fire blight pathogen so there is no risk of developing resistance even with frequent applications.

Image 1. The fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora ( ) colonizes the stigma of open blossoms. Antagonistic microorganism ( ) colonize the stigma, the nectary and the hypanthium. Further, Blossom Protect™ decreases the pH-value in the blossom.

Image 2. In the unprotected blossom, the fire blight pathogen multiplies on the stigma. Blossom Protect™ blocks the development of the pathogen and colonizes the nectary and the hypanthium.

Image 3. Without protection, the fire blight pathogen infects the plant under humid conditions and an average daily temperature of >59°F. Blossom Protect™ prevents infection by blocking the fire blight pathogen

Directions For Use

It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Do not apply this product in a way that will contact workers or other persons, either directly or through drift. Only protected handlers may be in the area during application. For any requirements specific to your State or Tribe, consult the State or Tribal agency responsible for pesticide regulation.

Properties

Physical Form

Granules,

Solid

Technical Details & Test Data

Compatibility

Blossom Protect is compatible with numerous pesticides and fertilizers. For detailed information on compatibility, please refer to bio-ferm’s website: http://www.bio-ferm.com/en/products/blossom-protect/ Additional fungicides should be applied one day before, or two days after, Blossom Protect. In pears, keep a minimum interval of two days between applications of copper and Blossom Protect.

Further Information

Blossom Protect can be applied using standard equipment. Keep the water temperature below 86°F. The spray equipment and mixing tank must be properly cleaned prior to use. The suspension should be agitated during application. Use spraying suspension within 8 hours.

Safety & Health

Precautionary Statement

• Hazards To Humans And Domestic Animals

1. Caution: Harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling and before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco or using the toilet. Wear neoprene rubber, natural rubber, butyl rubber or nitrile rubber gloves and protective eyewear. Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Applicators and other handlers must wear:

1. Long-sleeved shirt and long pants
2. Protective eyewear
3. Neoprene rubber, natural rubber, butyl rubber or nitrile rubber gloves
4. Shoes plus socks Mixers/loaders and applicators must wear a NIOSH-approved particulate respirator with any N, R, or P fi lter with NIOSH approval number prefi x TC-84A; or a NIOSH-approved powered air purifying respirator with a HE fi lter with NIOSH approval number prefi x TC-21C. Repeated exposure to high concentrations of microbial proteins can cause allergic sensitization. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning/maintaining PPE. If no such instructions for washables exist, use detergent and hot water. Keep and wash PPE separately from other laundry

• Engineering Controls

1. When handlers use closed systems or enclosed cabs in a manner that meets the requirements listed in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides [40 CFR 170.240(d)(4-5)], the handler PPE requirements may be reduced or modified as specified in the WPS. IMPORTANT: When reduced PPE is worn because a closed system is being used, handlers must be provided all PPE specified above for “applicators and other handlers” and have such PPE immediately available for use in an emergency, such as a spill or equipment breakdown.

• User Safety Recommendations

1. Users should remove clothing/PPE immediately if pesticide gets inside. Then wash thoroughly and put on clean clothing. Users should remove PPE immediately after handling this product. Wash the outside of gloves before removing. As soon as possible, wash thoroughly and change into clean clothing.

• Environmental Hazards

1. For terrestrial uses: Do not apply directly to water, or to areas where surface water is present or to intertidal areas below the mean high water mark. Do not contaminate water when disposing of equipment washwater or rinsate.

Storage & Handling

Storage And Stability

Blossom Protect Storage and Stability

• Keep refrigerated for maximum shelf life. Do not freeze. 
• From date of manufacture, Blossom Protect can be stored 30 months at cold temperature (not to exceed 46°F), or 18 months at room temperature (not to exceed 68°F).
• Blossom Protect must be stored out of direct sunlight in a cool dry place.

Buffer Protect Storage and Stability

• Buffer Protect can be stored at room temperature below 96°F. Always keep Blossom Protect and Buffer Protect out reach of children

Storage And Disposal

Do not contaminate water, food or feed by storage or disposal.

• Pesticide Storage: Blossom Protect must be stored out of direct sunlight in a cool dry place. Do not freeze. From date of manufacture, product can be stored: 18 months at room temperature (47°F to 68°F; 9°C to 20°C) or 30 months at cold temperature (34°F to 46°F; 1°C to 8°C). Store only in original container in an area designated for pesticide storage. Keep out of reach of children. After storage times under the specified conditions have been exceeded, do not use and dispose of product in accordance with the instructions below.
• Pesticide Disposal: Wastes resulting from the use of this product must be disposed of on site or at an approved waste disposal facility.
• Container Handling: Nonrefillable container. Do not reuse or refill this container. Triple rinse container (or equivalent) promptly after emptying. Triple rinse as follows: Empty the remaining contents into application equipment or a mix tank. Fill the container 1/4 full with water and recap. Shake for 10 seconds. Pour rinsate into application equipment or a mix tank, or store rinsate for later disposal. Drain for 10 seconds after the flow begins to drip. Repeat this procedure two more times. Then, offer for recycling if available or puncture and dispose of in a sanitary landfill or by incineration or, if allowed by state and local authorities, by burning. If burned, stay out of smoke.