Postharvest Solutions
May 6, 2009 Bayer CropScience and Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium, have concluded a multi-year research agreement to develop new postharvest solutions to protect fruit and vegetable produce against fungal diseases. For this purpose, Bayer CropScience will make active ingredients from its current fungicide portfolio available for testing.
Through its Preservation and Material Protection (PMP) division, Janssen has long-standing expertise in postharvest disease control and already supplies products for the control of postharvest molds and rots. With the support of Bayer CropScience, Janssen aims to bring to the market improved solutions to treat harvested produce, thus optimizing the quality of the fruits and vegetables provided to consumers. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Effective postharvest treatments play a key role in increasing productivity and combating food shortages. A great deal of harvested produce is still lost due to decay. “The slightest damage to fruits during harvest, transport and storage provides an opportunity for fungal attack,” explains Geoffroy de Chabot, sales and marketing manager at Janssen PMP. “So this fruit has to be protected immediately using suitable methods to make sure that rots don’t develop and food quality is maintained,” he continues. “The role of postharvest protection in the food chain is often underestimated. Innovative and safe solutions are vital to protect healthy fruits and vegetables in view of the ever-increasing demand for these important food commodities all year round,” adds Klaus Kirsch, product manager, Fungicides at Bayer CropScience.
Source: Bayer CropScience press release
