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INCOTEC America do Sul - Introduction

After its operational start in October 1999, INCOTEC America do Sul Ltda. was mainly focused on Tobacco and Lettuce products to serve the South American Market.

With the installation in early 2000 of a Researcher in Brazil and a Sales & Marketing support in Chile, serving the other countries in South America, INCOTEC America do Sul gradually became more aware of markets and product needs.

Products are developed for these markets or are adapted to fit. With its presence in this South American market, INCOTEC will continue its dedication to fulfill customer needs as in other parts in the world.

INCOTEC's thermocure for lettuce proved to be a good product to be used in Brazil. Its concept was created long before to meet the demands of the European and North America market. Later adaptations in the pellet made the product suitable for the Brazilian market.

The background of its success is the breaking of thermo-dormancy

(germination often limited at 22-24°C) and the uniform germination.

Through the breaking of the thermo dormancy a very high upper temperature limit (UTL >30°C) can be reached to guarantee optimal germination under non optimal circumstances.

Local research is dedicated to have better understanding of the shelf life of the product which might differ among the different varieties. Extensive measurements and quality tests are needed to try to create a possible blueprint of a variety‘s shelf life.

Soon after its start, INCOTEC analyzed the market on potential products for Tomato. Together with growers and seed companies various product combinations were tested to fit the market needs. Special attention was given to test the best possible product in combination for creating an optimal added value for the grower. This last season was the start of the commercial phase where growers could notice themselves the benefits of a pellet and a priming.

Research within Brazil focuses on the final benefits for the growers and they seem the highest with a pellet as sowability improvement is key. Size is still possible to change. Two size options are nowadays offered which are the 3,0 mm pellet and the 3,5 mm pellet.

Seed size will determine if a smaller pellet can be made.

Further research will be addressed to look at the choice of materials to make the pellet. Market needs, as cost aspect for the end-user will play an important role in this.

In Chile and Argentina the products are slightly different but meet the same market requirements. Close attention in this market by our local representative will fine tune the best choices for these markets. These markets do have already a longer history in using pellets successfully.

Splitpill Special Light - fresh market tomato

In this product combination for Tomato we put more dedication to enhance or upgrade the seed lot prior to processing.

This product process is focusing on easy to remove poor quality seeds which will result in a better priming and pelleting process. The discard will be held on a minimum, this in contrast with more advanced upgrading techniques also available.

Furthermore this product will be as with the processing tomato processed, with the best possible combination in materials for a pellet to meet market demands.

Release of some trial material in the market gave us positive feedback.

Further close attention to market needs may provide data to optimize even more the product for the Brazilian market.

Blind Plant Syndrome in tomato

In the former INCOTEC article on SeedQuest, an overview was given about the so-called "blind plant" problems which results in a tomato seedling which stops growing in a certain stage of development. Although it has a genetic background, it may be triggered by additional stress such as priming.

Research within INCOTEC showed that with an adapted priming method such increase in blind plants can be avoided but is keeping as much as possible the positive elements a priming provides. All incoming seed lots will undergo a germination test to make a risk analysis.

Only a germination test is not sufficient and a possible trial production can give a final answer. Research will continue to put effort in having full understanding of the problem. Close contact with the seed breeders in the seed companies may help to control the problem in the future.

This subject is having world wide attention of all INCOTEC locations and concerns will be communicated with the seed companies prior to any process.

Incotec developed half way the nineties successfully a number of products under the brand eXccit to eradicate Xanthomonas campestris campestris in Brassicas.

This technology became available for species like lettuce and carrot as well. The tomato reasearch in South America is now further extended towards typical problems of seed borne bacterial infections.

Among them are the well known Clavibacter m.m., Xanthomonas and Pseudomonas bacterium causing significant crop damage and losses or make seedlots useless.

Incotec is on the edge of releasing a number of promising technologies to combat these seed borne pathogens and seedcompanies were or will be invited to test these technologies.

The local researcher will dive further into the the South American markets to have full understanding of the economic importance of these diseases in these regions and to show possible solutions.

OnX - Encrusted carrot & onion seed

Extensive trials with the OnX of Incotec, showed a much better result compared to naked seed.

The encrusted product was specifically created for direct sowing of such products in which the rough shape of the seeds is smoothened and the size becomes slightly bigger. The dust free character will guarantee a safer product handling whenever pesticides are used and a much better singulation while sowing. The bright product colours provide the tool for an easy check in the field after sowing. Close contact with market players and growers will enable us to fine-tune our product if needed and to further extend it to crops of interest.

Furthermore, Incotec will start a program to test together with interested companies the priming technology in Carrot and Onion in combination with the OnX line.

The known advantages of priming are clear and showed in several field trials in Europe and North America a more even crop development which resulted in higher yields of desired root and bulb sizes.

DISCO AGRO filmcoat liquids

More specifications can be found on our internet site (www.incotec.com).

 Our local people get a very divers input of local needs and take this back to our research staff in order to come up with more answers. Various alternatives were already created to meet customer ‘s wishes.

New liquid combinations are tested in cooperation with our customer. Our local technical and commercial staff is of crucial importance to guide trials and give the right feedback for customer and INCOTEC’s worldwide R&D.