b'Introducing This Years Top Innovations! The potato industry is booming with innovation, offering new technologies and products that are being launched across the potato value chain. These innovations address critical global challenges such as food security to how we responsibly use our land, water, and air resources.We called for nominations for innovative products driving the future of Canadas potato industry. After receiving numerous outstanding entries, our Editorial Board selected winners based on their industry impact, market potential, and scalability. Now, presenting this years Top Innovations!AL-Bio 7 AZteroid FCA&L Biological Inc.subsidiary of A&L CanadaVive Crop ProtectionLaboratories Inc. www.vivecrop.ca/www.albiological.com Launched in Canada: April 2023Launches in Canada: Spring 2024Managing soilborne diseases like black scurf and silver scurf is a Plants send signalling compounds to the bacteria in the rhizospherecritical part of potato production. Prior to the launch of AZteroid to help them with many functions such as nutrient solubilization andFC, potato growers were limited to applying their fungicides and the production of antibiotics. The rhizosphere in high-producingfertilizers in separate applications, requiring extra equipment or plants is different from low producers. AL-Bio 7 is a patent-pendingmultiple trips across the field. AZteroid FC allows growers to apply bio fertilizer/nutrient enhancer technology that consists of bacteriaboth fungicide and fertility in-furrow at planting simultaneously, strategically isolated from high-producing plants.simplifying their operations and The active ingredient in AL-Bioultimately saving time and money.7 is pseudomonas azotoformansAZteroid FC, containing the market strain 336: one of the top growth- leading fungicide azoxystrobin, is the promoting bacteria from the libraryfirst nano-enabled pesticide registered A&L collected of over 4,000 bacterialfor use in Canada. Powered by Vives isolates. proprietary Allosperse nanotechnology, Once applied, the productAZteroid FC contains the trusted colonizes the root system of the cropfungicide azoxystrobin, delivering and living in a mutually beneficiallong-lasting disease control and relationship with the plant. Duringmaximizing farming efficiency through the life of the crop, the bacteria fixbest-in-class fertilizer compatibility.atmospheric nitrogen; solubilizeAZteroid FC gives Canadian potato growers a new tool to more phosphorous, zinc, and iron; and produce antibiotics to fightefficiently and effectively combat soilborne diseases with the ease-against disease.of-use of seamless fertilizer-compatibility. AZteroid FC has proven AL-Bio 7 is a new bio fertilizer that increases crop yields througha useful tool for U.S. potato growers to better protect their plants improved soil health. Plants work in harmony with endophyticand ultimately increase the quality and yields of their crops. Vive is bacteria to accomplish physiological functions such as nutrientthrilled to be able to introduce this groundbreaking fungicide to the solubilization, and the mitigation of abiotic stress. The increaseCanadian potato grower, says David Rummel, Vives vice president in crop yield is a cumulative effect of all the functional traits ofof sales and business development. our bacteria. AL-Bio 7 is a sustainable approach to nutrition thatBringing cutting-edge innovation to the pesticide industry will reduce the use of synthetic fertilizer inputs moving forward,is groundbreaking work that will directly impact how Canadian says Rob Field, A&L Biologicals VP of business development andpotato growers use crop protection. At Vive, weve been delivering marketing. Precision Chemistry solutions to the U.S. potato market since According to Field, the product delivers 200 per cent ROI for2016 and we couldnt be more excited to bring this technology to our the grower. He adds that the potential to produce more marketablehome potato acres with the introduction of AZteroid FC fungicide, potatoes at a lower cost may ultimately deliver an additional benefitadds Darren Anderson, Vives CEO.of lower pricing for the consumer. Field says that, based on market research, AL-Bio 7 sales have been projected to reach $10 million by 2026. 14SPUDSMART.COMSpring 2024'