Ourofino Agrociência enters the Asian rust control market with new product

The eighth product reimagined exclusively for tropical agriculture in Brazil launched by Ourofino Agrociência is now available on the market. Named Pontual, the industry's solution is effective against the main problem in soybean crops, Asian rust. In the 2020/21 harvest alone, 377 Brazilian regions recorded the occurrence of the fungus, according to the Antirust Consortium. Rio Grande do Sul was the most affected state, with 138 records. The new product, the company's first aimed at rust, also acts against brown spot.

According to Lenisson Carvalho, the company's large crops marketing manager, the news represents an important step for Ourofino Agrociência, not only due to the expansion of its portfolio, but, in particular, the entry into such a significant market for soybean farming. This fact should result in greater market share in this segment and is linked to the company's strategic plans, which involve a progressive increase in revenue to reach R$3,5 billion by 2026.

“Asian rust is one of the most latent concerns among soybean producers, and not just here in Brazil. It is a global problem that, if not controlled, can result in losses for the producer of around 90%”, points out the expert, who lists the main differences present in the new solution. “It’s not just a fungicide like the others that are available. It is an innovative technological product, with a unique formulation that combines three important active ingredients, azoxystrobin, cyproconazole and chlorothalonil, offering photoprotection, rain tolerance, adhesiveness and systemicity”.

Translating, Pontual delivers high performance in the control and management of resistance to Asian soybean rust; more safety in application and protective, preventive and curative effect. Carvalho advises that each active ingredient brings a particular benefit to the solution: “Chlorothalonil acts as a multisite, protecting the leaf surface against diseases, azoxystrobin promotes a preventive effect, preventing the development of the fungus; Cyproconazole has a curative action, penetrating the plant systemically, as a control tool. In other words, they are complementary assets and promote high effectiveness.”

To develop the fungicide, the company invested for five years in research conducted by professionals in the field, the majority of whom hold doctorates. Some of the names involved are: Edivaldo Velini, Caio Carbonari, Richard Feliciano, Roberto Toledo, Diego Alonso, Flavia Biazotto and Gilberto Velho.

Renowned institutes also participated in the conception and conceptualization of Pontual, such as Unesp in Botucatu (SP); the IPT – Technological Research Institute; Chapadão Foundation; MT Foundation; ABC Foundation; and FAPA (Agrarian Research Foundation). In total, before the industry reached the final version of the product, 11 prototypes were created in the first generation and another five in the second generation.

The Focus360 resistance management program, created by the company's specialists and renowned market researchers, also gains more robustness with the launch of Ourofino Agrociência. With the initiative, which presents solutions for integrated management and technical indications, the company seeks to provide producers with greater productivity and profitability. “The entry of Pontual enriches the program, which now includes even more technologies for crops in Brazil, in this case, initially for soybeans”, reinforces Carvalho.