Recently launched, insecticide for tomato management exceeds commercialization expectations in the country

Launched last November, the insecticide Ohkami, from Sipcam Nichino Brasil, exceeded the initial commercialization expectations foreseen by the company, which is preparing to serve tomato growers in light of the projected demand for the product throughout 2022. According to the company, Ohkami entered the market linked to relevant data observed in the field in the control of the tomato moth (Tuta absolute). This is, according to experts, the most potentially damaging pest to tomato production.

“This pest occurs all year round, but during dry periods it becomes more aggressive. Adult females lay eggs on leaves, fruits, stems and sepals of flowers. Soon after, the caterpillars hatch and begin to feed on plant structures and fruits”, explains Sérgio Camargo, agronomist, from the market development area of ​​Sipcam Nichino Brasil, a company of Italian-Japanese origin.

According to Camargo, the tomato moth has the capacity to cause damage between 70% and 100% of a crop's production. “Tuta absolute also has significant reproductive capacity, as each female can lay 55 to 130 eggs during her reproduction period”, he adds.

Sipcam Nichino attributes the success achieved at the beginning of Ohkami's commercialization to the product's insecticidal action mechanism, unique in Brazil for the management of tomato moth. Ohkami's action is on contact and the product works quickly after application. Sérgio Camargo adds that in field trials prior to the launch of Ohkami, control indicators for Tuta absolute populations reached 100%, in different tomato producing regions.

“Because it has this new mechanism of action for the tomato moth, Ohkami does not present cross-resistance with other products of its kind used to manage the pest.” The insecticide, continues Camargo, also brings together four central characteristics that define its high effectiveness against Tuta absolute: action on adult fertility, lizardicide (in all 'larval' stages), ovicide (control of pest eggs) and repellent action .