Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 24, BASF Agricultural Solutions has obtained official registration in France for Integral® Pro, a biological fungicide seed treatment, for use on sunflower crops. The product will be available to sunflower growers across the European Union starting with the 2026 sowing season.

Integral Pro provides early-season protection against major seed- and soil-borne fungal diseases, including Alternaria, Phoma, and Botrytis. It contains the beneficial bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain MBI600, which quickly colonises the seed and young roots after sowing, creating a protective zone while producing natural antifungal compounds that disrupt pathogen development.

Pierre Lopez, Seed Treatment Portfolio Manager at BASF Agricultural Solutions, said: “Since 2018, Integral Pro has protected several millions of hectares of oilseed rape every year across Europe. Robust technical results in sunflower demonstrate effective protection against key fungal diseases such as Alternaria, Phoma and Botrytis. This success has led us to our first registration for use in sunflower. We are proud to provide seed companies and growers with a new seed treatment solution that supports sunflower production.”

Extensive field trials conducted throughout the EU between 2022 and 2024 confirmed consistent performance. Results showed strong control of Alternaria and Phoma, reliable suppression of Botrytis, improved seedling emergence and vigour, healthier root systems, and an average yield increase of 3.5 decitonnes per hectare compared with untreated seeds.

Ludovic Grosjean, Seed Treatment Agronomist at BASF Agricultural Solutions, stated: “At BASF, we see the constant challenges growers face and are here to help them reduce pressure from pests and diseases, as soon as the seeds are planted. Integral Pro helps plants handle biotic stress and still deliver at harvest. It’s the combination of protection, early growth, and healthy vigor that gives farmers confidence their fields are on track.”

As part of BASF’s BioSolutions portfolio, Integral Pro meets current regulatory and sustainability requirements. It is compatible with conventional seed treatment programmes and approved for organic farming systems, offering growers a flexible, environmentally responsible option for early-season disease management.

The registration extends the proven benefits already experienced by European oilseed rape producers to the sunflower sector, providing a biological tool that supports crop establishment, resilience, and productivity from the very first days after planting. Seed companies and growers will be able to incorporate Integral Pro into their sunflower seed offerings ahead of the 2026 season across the European Union.