Wire Services reports that Cary, North Carolina, US-based Arysta LifeScience North America’s biological fungicide Ph-DT has been approved for use on a wide range of food crops, including fruiting vegetables, pome fruit, potatoes, and strawberries. The fungicide contains polyoxin D zinc salt as the active ingredient – a contact fungicide that inhibits spore germination and mycelial growth.
The fungicide controls several fungi, including Alternaria, early blight, and powdery mildew. Trials conducted by the University of California showed that the compound provided "good" control against brown rot, Botrytis jacket rot, and shot hole; "very good" control against Alternaria; and was "ineffective" against scab.
As a biological pesticide, Ph-DT is exempt from tolerances. State registrations are pending.