Canada approves Flg22-Bt Peptide, Vismax Seed Treatment, and Vismax Row Crop

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), pursuant to subsection 8(1) of the Pest Control Products Act, is granting registration for the sale and use of Flg22-Bt Peptide Technical, Vismax Seed Treatment, and Vismax Row Crop, containing the active ingredient Flg22-Bt peptide, to control fungal plant disease caused by Fusarium species in soybean and wheat.

The Proposed Registration Decision PRD2025-01, Flg22-Bt Peptide, Vismax Seed Treatment, and Vismax Row Crop, containing the detailed evaluation of the information submitted in support of this registration, underwent a 45-day consultation period ending on 29 March 2025. The evaluation found that, under the approved conditions of use, the health and environmental risks and the value of the pest control product(s) are acceptable. Health Canada received comments (and information) relating to the health and environmental assessments during the public consultation period conducted in accordance with section 28 of the Pest Control Products Act.

What Is Flg22-Bt Peptide?

Flg22-Bt peptide is a synthetic 22 amino acid peptide that is also commonly found in nature as a component of the swimming appendage (flagellum) of Bacillus thuringiensis, a species of bacterium also called Bt. When Flg22-Bt peptide is applied to the surface of soybean seeds or wheat flowers, it stimulates the plant's natural immune response to prevent infection from certain fungal plant pathogens.

What is the value of Vismax Seed Treatment?

Vismax Seed Treatment is a non-conventional, commercial fungicide that provides a new mode of action to suppress seed rot, damping-off, seedling blight and root rot caused by Fusarium spp. when applied as a seed treatment on soybean.

By reducing early plant stand, Fusarium seed and seedling diseases have a considerable impact on crop yield. Vismax Seed Treatment is a new non-conventional fungicide that suppresses these diseases. It will benefit soybean growers who may not wish to use conventional pesticides. It may also be used in a tank mix with conventional seed treatment fungicides. As Vismax Seed Treatment contains a new active ingredient for use against Fusarium seed and seedling diseases, it may delay the development of fungicide resistance to other registered active ingredients.

What is the value of Vismax Row Crop?

Vismax Row Crop is a non-conventional, commercial fungicide that provides a new mode of action to suppress a major disease of wheat, fusarium head blight, when applied as a foliar spray.

Active ingredients that are effective against fusarium head blight (FHB) are few in number. Vismax Row Crop provides a new disease management option to wheat growers who prefer to use non-conventional fungicides in combination with integrated disease management practices. Vismax Row Crop may be used in alternation or in a tank mix with conventional fungicides. By providing a new mode of action against FHB, Vismax Row Crop may delay the development of fungicide resistance to other registered active ingredients.