Sym-Agro debuts AzaPro for organic pest control

A new product from Sym-Agro, AzaPro, is marketed as providing control of more than 300 different insects, mites and nematodes, without leaving visible residue on crops.

According to a product label, AzaPro can be used on a wide variety of vegetables, fruit trees and a variety of ornamental trees and turf. A certificate from the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) lists it as approved for use in organic production with few restrictions.

Sym-Agro President Peter Bierma said in a press release AzaPro is “a broad-spectrum insecticide/nematicide utilizing a highly bioactive form of azadirachtin.” The formulation won’t leave an oily visible residue on the treated produce or fruit.

Marketed as a “three-in-one” product, AzaPro has a dual mode of action against insects as well as suppression of nematodes. It primarily acts as an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR), and its residual formula acts as a repellent, according to a press release from Sym-Agro. It is designed to provide greater bio-efficacy toward a broad spectrum of more than 300 insect species including: mites, aphids, thrips, leafhoppers, leafminers, beetles, mealy bugs, weevil, lepidoptera, pear psylla and more. In addition, AzaPro provides nematode suppression, according to the press release. It can safely be used up to the day of harvest.

AzaPro kills insect larvae or nymphs before they become reproducing adults,” according to the press release.It is deadly to sucking and chewing insect pests, yet has minimal impact on non-target beneficial species. AzaPro kills larval stages and nymphs by interfering with the insect molting hormone (ecdysone).

“Whiteflies and other insects that feed on the undersides of leaves can be difficult to control with sprays directed only over the top of the plant,” Bierma said. “AzaPro penetrates the plant by translaminar movement to provide control of these hard-to-reach pests.” Repeated applications of AzaPro build a “barrier” within the plant to prevent establishment of large pest populations, according to the press release.

AzaPro can be applied in combination or rotation with currently available products such as synthetic pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides, according to the press release. The botanical IGR has a no pre-harvest interval, a four-hour re-entry interval and is OMRI listed.