NEW PRODUCTS: PRECISE Controlled-Release Acephate Approved

PTI said the PRECISE Acephate Granule product works at every growth stage of the insect rather than requiring application at a specific time in the insect’s growth stage. The product works either as a preventative application or as a curative control for adult insects, and it controls fire ants, mole crickets, sod webworms, cutworms, armyworms, chinch bugs and other pests. Research is currently being conducted to determine grub control efficacy, according to PTI.

"The high water solubility of acephate lends itself well to being polymer coated with our PRECISE technology," said Dr. Jeff Higgins, PTI's director of market development. "We have taken an insecticide that is considered to be pretty short lived in the sprayable form and extended the longevity of the product by using this new technology.

"We have also removed the distinct odor associated with Acephate by coating it with PRECISE technology," Higgins continued. "At the same time it is on a fertilizer carrier, so you are getting slow release fertilizer also."

PRECISE polymer-coating technology uses PTI's patented process to coat granules, providing a predictable release through osmotic diffusion across the polymer membrane. The PRECISE brand will encompass several different emerging pesticide products and also combinations of fertilizers and pesticides.

The PRECISE Acephate Granule product is under limited production at a pilot plant in Sylacauga, Alabama. PTI plans to construct a PRECISE plant to handle production of the entire line of future PRECISE insecticide, fungicide, herbicide and combination products.

"A fungicide such as Metalaxyl is probably the next material we will coat using PRECISE technology," Higgins said.

PTI also produces the patented POLYON® polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers.