How to apply PMV®-01?

Before starting PMV®-01 vaccination, a team of experts will provide to the customer detailed information about the sampling and the vaccination itself. During this meeting the various stages of the crop cycle will be discussed with the grower in order to identify the points that require special attention with regard to hygiene measures. Based on this information, the team of experts can then provide the grower with a tailor-made advice on hygiene measures. These measures are taken to guarantee an optimal vaccination, but they can also be important for the grower to protect his crops against all kinds of other infections.

The next step of the vaccination strategy consists of a pre-vaccination sampling. The samples are taken no earlier than 1 week before planting. Depending on the grower’s preference, they can be taken at the plant nursery or at the grower’s place. The leaf samples are sent to the laboratory of Scientia Terrae VZW for molecular analysis in order to check if the plants are free of PepMV. The result of this analysis can be expected within 3 working days after arrival at the laboratory. Tomato plants are grown with great care and are usually free of PepMV. As soon as this is confirmed by the sampling and the accompanying analysis, the vaccination procedure can be started.

If the samples do test positive for PepMV, further options will be discussed with the customer.

For optimum results, it is recommended to vaccinate as soon as possible after planting. The vaccination itself consists of one treatment with 4 to 8 L of PMV®-01/ha diluted in 150 to 300L water at a spraying pressure of 5 to 7 bar. In order to guarantee optimum effectiveness, the temperature of the product should never exceed 15°C during treatment. After vaccination, a crop treatment is recommended so that the vaccine can easily and quickly penetrate the plant. 4L/ha is considered to be the standard dose for an optimum effect and a sufficiently rapid colonization. In case of a high risk of contamination and the need for accelerated colonization, the dose may be increased to 8 L/ha.

The vaccine finally installs itself in the plants. After an incubation period of 4 to 6 weeks, the crop is protected against damage caused by PepMV for the entire growing season. During this period, the team of experts will take post-vaccination samples to confirm the successful installation of the vaccine.