Luna® Fungicide Label Expansion Gives Growers New Crops for Broad-Spectrum Disease Control

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer has received notice that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved an expanded label for Luna^® fungicides permitting use on a larger group of fruit, nut and vegetable crops. Once approved in relevant states, these label expansions will be effective across a broad geographical range of markets from California and the Pacific Northwest to Florida.

"This label expansion will offer horticulture growers much needed fungicide options across a broader range of key horticulture crops," says Bayer Product Manager Joel Lipsitch. "With three Luna formulations, growers will have tailored solutions to their key disease-management challenges."

The new labels expand the Luna registration to crops such as citrus, table and raisin grapes, berries, leafy vegetables, tomatoes, pome and stone fruit, and a variety of other fruits and vegetables. Specific registrations vary by state. Product labels should be consulted for detailed information.

The Luna fungicide portfolio includes Luna Sensation, Luna Experience and Luna Tranquility. Luna fungicides provide long-lasting, systemic and broad-spectrum disease protection for a wide variety of annual and perennial fruit, nut and vegetable crops. Luna fungicides work systemically within the plant's vascular system to deliver protection to buds, blooms and other tissues, offering in-season disease control and long-term tree health.

• Luna Sensation is registered for tree nuts, pome fruit, stone fruit, citrus, strawberries, carrots, leafy, brassica fruiting and cucurbit vegetables.

• Luna Experience is registered for grapes, tree nuts, cucurbit vegetables and hops.

• Luna Tranquility is registered for potatoes, bulb crops, tomatoes, pome fruit, strawberries and caneberries/bushberries.

"Luna has been tested extensively in field trials across the U.S. on numerous crops," Lipsitch says. "All formulations have shown an impressive range of benefits from improved crop establishment to improved crop quality and increased yield. Additional late-season benefits such as enhanced storability of harvested produce, reduced post-harvest losses and extended shelf life are well documented. This latest label expansion will give growers much needed flexibility in disease protection in high-value crops."

The dual mode of action in each Luna fungicide works to prevent disease and protect against fungicide resistance. Luna is active on a broad range of plant diseases including powdery mildew, shot hole, scab, rot, leaf spot, anthracnose, summer diseases and blight.

Luna provides control of some of the most problematic fungal diseases to help growers deliver superior quality vegetables, fruits and nuts to the market. Application flexibility offers early and mid-season disease protection as well as late-season defense to extend fruit, vegetable and nut quality beyond harvest to transport, storability and shelf life. In permanent crops, trial results with Luna fungicides have also shown improvements in long-term tree health and vitality.

Bayer is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

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Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2015, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of EUR 46.3 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.3 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

Find more information at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

© 2016 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, and Luna are registered trademarks of Bayer. Not all products are registered for use in all states. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

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SOURCE Bayer Corporation