Karbicure® is a specially optimised formulation of potassium bicarbonate for use against target diseases in agriculture and horticulture. Effective against a broad range of diseases in pome fruit, stone fruit, soft fruit, grapevines, hops, vegetables and ornamentals. Included in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC, Karbicure® is exempt from EU MRLs, and authorised for use in organic production by the European Commission. Karbicure® is a soluble powder containing 85 % (w/w) potassium bicarbonate. Karbicure® is especially suitable for use in programmes with conventional fungicides, as well as in organic fruit, wine and vegetable production.
Karbicure® has a multi-site mode of action, acting through a combination of osmotic pressure, pH, and specific bicarbonate/carbonate ion effects. By consequence, the risk of resistance developing is considered to be low, and according to the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (www.frac.info) no resistance is known. Karbicure® acts very rapidly to cause dehydration and total collapse of spores and mycelium of susceptible fungi (see photographs below, courtesy of Dr. Ken Horst, H&I Agritech, Inc.).
Untreated spores of powdery mildew taken under light microscopy
Powdery mildew spores 1 minute after treatment with Karbicure®
Untreated mycelium of powdery mildew taken by electron microscopy
Powdery mildew mycelium 1 minute after treatment with Karbicure®
Karbicure®’s proprietary wetting system ensures a complete and thorough coverage of plant surfaces, whilst at the same time limiting wash-off of the highly water-soluble active substance by rain.
It is this critical balance of ‘sticking’ and ‘spreading’ by the formulation that delivers a level of field performance, outdoors as well as in protected conditions, equivalent to conventional fungicide standards.
Karbicure® provides good levels of control of many economically important fungal diseases, including apple scab, Botrytis cinerea and powdery mildew in grapevines, and powdery mildew in soft fruit and vegetables.
See local distributor use recommendations for details: Click here
Ease of handling
Soluble powder dissolves readily and completely in water
Fast-acting contact fungicide
Apply preventively, or immediately (within 8 hours) after infections (where precise infection timings are known, or conditions require)
Exempt from EU MRLs
Short pre-harvest intervals
Non-classified
High level of safety for user, consumer and environment
Low Risk Plant Protection Product
In 2024 we obtained the renewal of our basic substance as “low risk” plant protection product in EU.
OMRI certification