Serenade: ready for practice

The biological agent Serenade is increasingly gaining a foothold in the Netherlands. A growing group of growers are getting started with it. Sometimes still on a pilot scale, but increasingly as a supplement or replacement for chemistry. Due to the large amount of practical data collected in recent years, the practical value of Serenade is increasingly coming into the spotlight. 

Serenade is a product based on bacteria Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain QST 713. This naturally occurring bacterial strain is effective in combating harmful bacteria and fungi such as scab, silver scab and rhizoctonia in potatoes, fusarium in onions and flower bulbs and cavity spot in carrots. In addition, Serenade also has a growth-promoting effect, improves nutrient absorption and reduces the production of glycoalkaloids (TGA) in the tubers of the harvested potato.

How does it work?
The spores of bacterial strain QST 713 in Serenade settles - during soil application - on the root system of the potato. It then continues to expand with the growth of the roots (colonization). During this growth, the bacteria produce fungicidal and bactericidal substances. In this way, harmful fungi (and bacteria) are kept or expelled from the roots.

What are the results?

Serenade used as a soil application:

Potatoes

• Improvement of peel quality (seed & consumption)
• Proven effect on scabies and silver scab
• More numbers (seed potatoes)
• More vital seed potatoes (effect on offspring)
• Replacement of chemistry against rhizoctonia (starch)
• Less sensitive to glycoalkaloid (TGA) formation
• Improved absorption of nutritional elements (= better storage quality)

Onions

• Average yield increase of 4% in 2023 (over 10 varieties)
• Better development of root mass
• Improved absorption of minerals
• 30% less infestation by fusarium and erwinia/pseudomonas in storage

Carrot

• Proven effective against cavity spot
• Better root development
• Contribution to suppression of black spots

Flower bulbs

• Better root development
• Better absorption of minerals
• Important addition to the immersion bath against fusarium
• Soil treatment contributes to the control of fusarium and stromatia (gladiolus)

Dosage & application

Potatoes: 5 l/ha

• Seed potatoes: add to the soil treatment agent in the spring
• Consumption: add to half the dose of chemicals afterward
• Starch: add to the meat without chemicals

Onions: 5 l/ha

• Add to soil application with Rudis

Carrot: 10 l/ha

• Soil treatment

Flower bulbs: 10 l/ha or 1%

• Soil treatment with 10 liters per hectare
• Dip treatment before planting at 1% dosage

Good to Know
What do the bacteria in Serenade live on?
The bacillus bacteria live on the secretions (exudates) of the roots. As long as the crop grows - and the roots secrete exudates - the bacteria also continue to grow.

Do bacteria remain in the soil?
No. When the crop is harvested, the bacteria die and the concentration returns to the natural amounts present in the soil. This also means that no after-effect should be expected from previous applications of Serenade.

Are there any restrictive conditions for use?
No. If crops can be planted or sown, Serenade can also be applied. The (soil) temperature plays no role in this. The product is also not specifically sensitive to UV.

Are combinations with other substances possible?
Yes. So far, no adverse effects have been found when combining Serenade with other products or fertilizers.

What is the shelf life of the product?
Serenade has no restrictions on the label regarding shelf life. Furthermore, it is not necessary to keep Serenade refrigerated.

Should Serenade go in the pesticide cupboard?
Yes. Serenade is registered as a crop protection product and must therefore be stored in the pesticide room.

Want to know more about Serenade? View on agro.bayer.nl

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