ADVASEAL shown to be effective fumigant
replacement
Treatment comparison:
ADVASEAL® versus best grower
fumigation standard
- ADVASEAL® plots producing comparable
marketable yields to current grower standard
- Significant grower savings and environmental benefits over
conventional fumigation
- Trial further demonstrates ADVASEAL's® potential as a next
generation clean technology
MONTREAL, Sept. 10, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Imaflex Inc.
("Imaflex" or the "Corporation") (TSXV: IFX), announces positive
final independent results from the
ADVASEAL® Efficacy Trial, designed to determine
ADVASEAL's® efficacy as a fumigant replacement
for field grown fresh market tomatoes in Florida.
"As we expected, the new ADVASEAL® (also called
"ADVASEAL® HG") containing all the active
ingredients, was shown to be a viable soil fumigation alternative
to the current best grower practice of using fumigants to improve
yields of field grown vegetables," said Mr. Joe Abbandonato, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Imaflex. Crop yields were statistically the same,
while ADVASEAL® provided better weed control than
fumigants. "Not only does ADVASEAL® work, it
allows growers to save time and money, while transitioning
towards a farming system that is more sustainable -
environmentally, economically and socially." Since there is
no fumigant emission or pesticide drift, ADVASEAL®
should also open up acreage not currently being used due to strict
buffer zone requirements associated with soil fumigation.
Study Highlights: ADVASEAL® Compared With Grower
Standard
Two types of the new ADVASEAL® were
compared, Grade A and Grade B (collectively
"ADVASEAL®"), to the best grower fumigation
standard. Both ADVASEAL® films used the same
amount of active ingredients, however they differed in
coating structure. The current grower standard calls for
approximately 660 pounds of a broad-spectrum fumigant mixture
(PIC-CLOR 60 and K-PAM®1) per treated acre.
In comparison, ADVASEAL's® clean technology uses
over 95% less pesticides, resulting in lower application costs and
environmental benefits.
Total and marketable yields were statistically the same between
treatments. Similarly, estimated gross returns, based on the
average US Department of Agriculture (USDA) market value, were not
significantly different between plots using
ADVASEAL® and those using the conventional grower
standard. A numerical difference was observed for harvested
tomatoes, whereby fumigated plots yielded more large tomatoes and
ADAVSEAL® plots yielded a greater number of
extra-large tomatoes.
Nutsedge (weed) control was more than 30% better with
ADVASEAL® versus the grower standard. Nutsedge,
often called the "world's worst weed", is an aggressive, invasive
weed that can drastically reduce crop yields.
Crop vigor ratings on plants and roots were good, but the grower
standard was slightly more robust mid-season. However, by the end
of the study whole plant and root vigor differences were not
significant between treatments.
Control of root galls and nematode populations were not
significantly different between the fumigated and ADVASEAL®
treatments. Parasitic nematodes cause irregular swelling of
roots, called galls. Other symptoms of root gall include
stunted growth and plant wilting.
Fusarium (fungi) severity ratings on plants were not
significantly different between treatments. For roots,
ADVASEAL® Grade B treated plots showed superior fusarium control
over Grade A plots. Fusarium is a widely spread soil fungi
that first infects the roots and later the plant, causing it to
wilt, wither and die.
"ADVASEAL® was shown to be an effective alternative to
fumigants, while also bringing tangible financial and environmental
advantages," concluded Mr. Abbandonato. As a reminder, the
tomato was chosen as a model plant for the trial, because it is one
of the most widely grown crops in the world. Furthermore, if
high tomato yields can be achieved with ADVASEAL®, it can be
safely assumed that high yields are also achievable for many
vegetables currently requiring pre-plant soil fumigation.
The independent report for the Efficacy Trial can be found on
the "Events and Presentations" page of Imaflex's website at:
https://www.imaflex.com/English/news-and-events/events-and-presentations/
Next Steps
Based on the positive results to date, the
Corporation will be proceeding with a more comprehensive Release
Study, which is required for the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) registration package. The study will determine
the exact timing each active ingredient on ADVASEAL® is
released into the soil. This is required to show compliance
with the pre-harvest interval legally established by the EPA, which
is essentially the wait time required between the last application
of crop protection products and when a crop can be harvested
for safe human consumption. The study should start within the
coming month. The Corporation remains focused on submitting
the new ADVASEAL® registration package with the EPA around
year-end 2020. The EPA review process can take up to a
year.
About ADVASEAL®
Today, agricultural films
are used in the growing of vegetables worldwide to cover soil
treated with fumigants – volatile and toxic pesticides essential
for reducing pests, weeds and fungi in the soil, thus supporting
good growth of new crop seedlings.
The original EPA approved ADVASEAL® (ADVASEAL® HSM), contained
only a herbicide for weed control. The new enhanced ADVASEAL®
(also called "ADVASEAL HG") under development also includes
fungicides and a nematicide to control soil borne pathogens, thus
becoming a complete non-fumigant alternative for soil
disinfestation. With ADVASEAL®, modern non-volatile crop
protection products can be applied more effectively and safely than
with fumigants. The crop protection products are incorporated
into a coating, which is then applied to a mulch film. Once
the coated film is applied to the ground the active ingredients are
released into the soil under controlled conditions, preventing the
over/under-dosing found with current soil disinfestation
practices. This new technology dramatically reduces the
amount of crop protection products required. The catalyst to
trigger the release of the active ingredients is soil
moisture. When the film is applied to the soil, they are
efficiently and safely discharged into the ground, resulting in
heightened productivity, lower costs and notable environmental
benefits.
About Imaflex Inc.
Founded in 1994, Imaflex is
focused on the development and manufacturing of innovative
solutions for the flexible packaging space. Concurrently, the
Corporation develops and manufactures films for the agriculture
industry. The Corporation's products consist primarily of
polyethylene (plastic) film and bags, including metalized plastic
film, for the industrial, agricultural and consumer markets.
Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec,
Imaflex has manufacturing facilities in Canada and the United States. The
Corporation's common stock is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange
under the ticker symbol IFX. Additional information is
available at www.imaflex.com.
Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking
Information
Certain information included in this press
release constitutes "forward-looking" statements within the meaning
of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are
necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that,
while considered reasonable by the management of the Corporation,
are inherently subject to significant business, economic and
competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies. The
Corporation cautions the reader that such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause the actual financial results, performance or
achievements of Imaflex to be materially different from the
Corporation's estimated future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements and that
the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance. These statements are also based on certain
factors and assumptions. For more details on these estimates,
risks, assumptions and factors, see the Corporation's most recent
Management Discussion and Analysis filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com
and on the investor section of the Corporation's website at
www.imaflex.com. The Corporation disclaims any obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, events or otherwise, except as expressly
required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
1
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K-PAM® is a
registered trademark of AMVAC Chemical Corporation
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SOURCE Imaflex Inc.