Adama obtains extension of registration of NIMITZ® in U.S.A.

ADAMA recently announced that its NIMITZ®, a novel, non-fumigant nematicide with simplified application features and unmatched user safety, has received federal registration from the EPA for the following additional Crop Groups: 1B Root vegetables (except sugar beet) subgroup (including carrots, radish and garden beets), 1C Tuberous and corm vegetables subgroup (including potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams), 2 Leaves of Root and Tuber Vegetables, 4 Leafy Vegetables (Except Brassica Vegetables) (including celery, head lettuce, leaf lettuce, and spinach), 5A Head and stem Brassica subgroup (including broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage), 5B Leafy Brassica greens subgroup,13-07G, Low growing berry subgroup (including strawberry) and Tobacco.  These are in addition to the previously registered Crop Group 8-10 Fruiting vegetable (tomatoes, bell peppers, okra, eggplants) and Crop Group 9 Cucurbit vegetables (melons, cantaloupes, cucumbers).

Notification of the federal label expansion is being processed through state regulatory agencies. The active ingredient in NIMITZ, fluensulfone, is a novel chemistry group for nematode control and indications are that NIMITZ selectively kills only plant-parasitic nematodes.

Rob Williams, ADAMA VP of North America said, "NIMITZ is a game changer for the industry, it's the nematicide that growers have been waiting for - cutting edge and highly effective in controlling plant-parasitic nematodes. It also has a 'Caution' signal word, a first for a chemical nematicide".

NIMITZ is a new paradigm for nematode control on high value crops. It eliminates stringent use requirements of fumigant nematicides including onerous Fumigant Management Plans, 24-hour field monitoring and restrictive buffer zones.

"In contrast to fumigant nematicides, NIMITZ simplifies nematode management by lessening complex handling practices and application restrictions," says Williams. "NIMITZ does not require certified applicator training. Also, personal protective equipment (PPE) is minimal."

Danny Karmon, NIMITZ Global Project Leader at ADAMA said, "Our research, regulatory and development teams around the globe worked hard to bring this exceptional product to the market. More than eight years of intensive development and testing work, including laboratory studies, greenhouse trials, full-scale field trials and commercial applications, have consistently demonstrated that NIMITZ controls nematodes as well as or better than the commercial standards."

"ADAMA's promise is to simplify the lives of farmers," Danny Karmon said. "NIMITZ is a prime example of this. It is extremely effective in protecting crops, and as a non-fumigant, the solution enhances user safety in comparison with all nematicides being used today. This makes the use of this product convenient and economically advantageous for the farmer."

"NIMITZ provides a non-restricted use pesticide alternative that is easy to apply, is effective, and with lower environmental impact." says Pablo A. Navia, NIMITZ Development Leader.  Cited by Navia as a 'true' nematicide, NIMITZ causes irreversible and rapid nematicidal activity in plant-parasitic nematodes. 

Within one hour of contact, nematodes cease feeding and quickly become paralyzed. Within 24 to 48 hours, mortality occurs rather than temporary nematostatic (immobilizing) activity, as seen with organophosphate and carbamate nematicides.

For growers, NIMITZ reduces the complexity of nematode control  associated with fumigant nematicides without compromising control. NIMITZ's unique and safer features exemplify ADAMA's commitment to bringing simplicity to agriculture. The EPA summarized this new active in the Federal Docket [EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0629, July 25, 2014]: "Fluensulfone (NIMITZ) represents a safer alternative for nematode control with a new mode of action and a much simpler and straight forward product label." NIMITZ has been registered in the U.S. since 2014.