Crops in Mexico have faced a series of significant economic and climatic challenges over recent years: the rising cost of fertilisers and fuel, interruptions to the supply chain because of international conflicts… all of which has left farmers with their backs to the wall. Against this backdrop, solutions such as Beltanol, capable of resolving several of the existing issues in the field, promise to alleviate the situation and prevent major problems for farmers. The fact is that Beltanol not only effectively combats disease, but also improves crop quality and yield, offering renewed hope for Mexico’s agricultural sector.

Beltanol, beyond protection against fungi and bacteria

Beltanol is a technological product designed to combat a wide range of crop diseases. “The total systemic action offered by Beltanol through its basipetal and acropetal movement [from apex to base and vice versa], helps us to combat diseases which affect both the root and the leaves,” explains Jorge Rafael Cuevas, Field Trial Manager at Probelte.

“We have conducted more than 100 Beltanol effectiveness studies for the most important horticultural crops in Mexico: from agave, to vegetables, berries and fruit trees. These studies demonstrate its effectiveness against various diseases for which, by way of comparison, other products currently on the market reveal no more than a limited control effect.”

Beltanol contains one single molecule as its active ingredient, discovered and manufactured at Probelte and with significant benefits, including comprehensive fungal and bacterial control, such as Botryosphaeria diothidea in blueberries and Clavibacter spp, in tomato. Its flexible application from the start of the season onwards protects crops from the outset, to avoid major production losses. Meanwhile, Beltanol also reduces the reservoirs of disease in the area around the plants’ root system, reducing the incidence of future infections in subsequent seasons.

The challenges seen on the ground in Mexico

The current crop situation in Mexico is a complex one, as our expert explains: “Mexico has since 2021 faced significant challenges because of the rising cost of fertilisers and energy, as well as interruptions to the supply chain, exacerbated by international conflicts, such as between Russia and Ukraine,” asserts Jorge Rafael.

There are currently various diseases and pests which also pose serious problems for crops: “We are battling against coffee leaf rust, a fungus which damages the leaves of the coffee bush; fruit fly, which infests mangoes, guavas and citrus fruits; and corn earworm, which attacks the leaves and corn cobs,” clarifies Jorge Rafael, likewise explaining that the rotting of roots and stems caused by Phytophthora capsici affects chillies, pumpkins and cucumbers, killing off the plants. And these are just some of the examples he cites.

Nonetheless, the figures are positive and on the increase: “In production terms,” he continues, “sweetcorn has seen a slight improvement. Sweetcorn output in Mexico is expected to rise to 26.9 million tonnes this year, mainly thanks to an increase in the surface area planted, and more favourable climate conditions. Meanwhile, Mexico is one of the world’s leading strawberry producers. In 2023, strawberry production exceeded 1.1 million tonnes. “

“Blueberry production has seen exponential growth. Over the last decade there has been a significant increase in crop areas, making Mexico one of the largest exporters of this fruit. Raspberry and blackberry production has likewise seen substantial growth. In 2023, raspberry production stood at more than 130,000 tonnes, and blackberry, 300,000 tonnes.”

All of which reveals a complex landscape with numerous crops that have very different needs, as well as a range of challenges associated with Mexican soils. “There are significant differences in the challenges faced by the different specific crop types,” indicates the Probelte Field Manager.

“These challenges may vary depending on the species, the climatic and geographical conditions, and the specific agricultural processes for each type of crop.”

Supporting and promoting cutting-edge agriculture in Mexico

Thanks to its comprehensive action, Beltanol, offers an effective and direct solution to assist in such production environments and scenarios. As our expert confirms: “One crop where Beltanol has proved particularly effective is the blueberry, above all in combating the disease caused by Botryosphaeria diothidea.” As he explains, the disease is a growing cause of plant death, forming resistance structures known as pycnidia, which act as reservoirs. “Under favourable conditions, these structures colonise the plant tissue, leading to withering, fruit drop, and eventually the death of the crop.”