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Enzicur tops Horti Fair innovations

The Horti Fair Innovation Award 2007 was presented by Agriculture Minister Gerda Verburg to Koppert Biological Systems for its organic crop protection agent Enzicur. Photo courtesy Horti Fair

Last fall’s International Horti Fair attracted 46,846 horticulture professionals from 108 countries. Surveys indicate 25 per cent of visitors were in a buying mood, and 80 per cent said they would return in 2008.

Organizers feel advancing the show dates to mid-October from early November helped with attendance. Some 985 firms from 51 countries took part. Horti Fair director Wim van der Loo said the show has more plans to expand its programming this year. “We’ll launch additional activities to make Horti Fair even more attractive for the complete horticultural sector,” he said. “Our function is, after all, to serve the entire international horticultural sector as effectively as possible.”

AWARD WINNERS

Koppert Biological Systems received the Horti Fair Innovation Award for its new fungicide. Enzicur is a new and patented natural, powerful and curative mildew control product. Mildew is unable to build up resistance to this product, which is also safe for humans, the environment, pollinators and most natural enemies, making it an ideal IPM candidate.

Mijnie Prins of Priva from De Lier (second from right) with the Horti Fair Best Participant Award 2007. Photo courtesy Horti Fair

Jury chairperson Gijs Kok described Enzicur as “a breakthrough in the control of fungal diseases in strawberry, eggplant, cucumber, sweet pepper and rose crops, and could also be used curatively in crops other than those already tested. As a form of biological pest control, it is a breakthrough development, and makes a contribution to sustainability.” The other category winners were the fully automated chrysanthemum growing process, from cutting to harvested crop, of Logiqs Agro BV, and ‘Anthurium Black Queen’ of Rijnplant. The FlowerBagVase introduction of BIN International BV received an honourable mention. It’s a waterproof, cardboard flower bag that also serves as a decorative vase. Priva B.V. won the Best Participant Award. The jury was enthusiastic about Priva’s accessible, attractive presentation at the exhibition and its multimedia approach.Horti Fair 2008 will be held from Oct. 14-17 in the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition Centre.