New fungicide, RevyPro boosts barley yields by 0.56t/ha

With RevyPro^® now in its second year, grower Mike Hambly from Cornwall shares why it should be an essential part of any barley programme, and one he will be using again this year.

Mike Hambly © BASF

“The results from our RevyPro tramline trial last year were pleasantly surprising.

“Despite not a lot of visible disease, and the ADAS assessment indicating little difference between the disease scores, there was a significant increase in our green area retention during the later stages of the crop growth.

“We applied RevyPro across our KWS Tardis, at T2 following a T1 application of Priaxor. ADAS’ Agronomics analysed the results and found that RevyPro provided a strong yield uplift of 0.56t/ha, in comparison with Ascra Xpro at T2, as well as increasing our bushel weight.”

The new fungicide from BASF has a unique formulation of Revysol^® and prothioconazole delivering excellent efficacy and long-lasting protection.

However, it is the outstanding flexibility that has really appealed to Mike, with application timing and dose flexibility giving growers plenty of options to ensure RevyPro^® delivers a strong return on investment. 

“You always want to react to changes in the season,” explains Mike, “and some people might criticise me for already making the firm decision to use RevyPro again this year.

But we know, typically, we face high disease pressure, and we want a product that is robust and reliable, but most importantly, one that will perform with the flexibility to apply it when needed.

“If you have been fortunate enough that R&D companies, like BASF, have invested to do some work on your farm, and you have found something that performs with a strong formulation, you have the confidence to use it again.”

Although RevyPro^® can only be used once per crop, growers can decide when to apply it – at T1 as the foundation of the programme from 0.75l/ha to maintain tillers and create yield, or at T2, where it will protect that yield.

With broad-spectrum activity supporting all major barley diseases, including net blotch, Rhynchosporium, ramularia and rust, RevyPro^® demonstrates the power of combining two azoles that underpin many barley programmes, in an innovative formulation.

Mike has increased his barley area for 2026, due to his rotation, and will be applying RevyPro^® across all varieties at T2.

“It is important to keep an open mind. Yes, I want to maximise margins, and I will always look at areas where I can do this in a small way, so you get incremental gains, but at the same time, I’m not going to be penny wise and pound foolish.

“If last season taught me anything, despite the low disease year, there were significant responses to fungicides, and it is important we invest in products we trust.”

A formulation that performs

Jared Bonner © BASF

Trials carried out by ADAS and BASF highlight formulation benefits, with RevyPro^® proven to provide greater control of all major diseases than the equivalent tank mix.

Jared Bonner, Business Development Manager, BASF said, “These trials have shown that although there was a reduction in the amount of Revysol in the tank, there is no loss of efficacy. There is in fact an efficacy benefit from the formulation.

“RevyPro gives exceptional leaf and ear coverage with rapid uptake getting the prothioconazole into the leaf faster than other prothioconazole products.

“This rapid uptake means even if the weather conditions are variable, RevyPro can be relied upon, giving growers greater confidence if the weather deteriorates after application.”

Throughout the development of any solution, BASF have a strong focus on optimising practical application in the field, ensuring it is efficient and cost effective for growers. RevyPro’s enhanced formulation technology enables improved protection against run-off and UV degradation, leading to better uptake and ultimately enhanced disease control.

Dr Stephan Koehler, BASF’s Lab Leader in Digital Formulation, explains how the product’s unique formulation makes it the clear choice for barley due to its rapid penetration.

“RevyPro builds on one of the biggest formulation breakthroughs at BASF. A quantum leap in the emulsifier system ensures that Revysol remains in solution throughout the ‘spray phase’, which increases the uptake of Revysol.

“In just one hour there’s as much active ingredient in the plant that conventional technology would need more than a full day to achieve”.

BASF: In both cases, the active ingredient is dissolved in a liquid formulation. Only in the patented formulation of Revysol^® it remains in solution after dilution

The emulsifying system also unlocks prothioconazole’s fungicidal activity through its quicker activation, which can be explained by the enhanced uptake,” he explains. 

Prothiconazole requires conversion inside the plant to become biologically active, hence faster uptake accelerates this activation process.

“It is why, in trials, RevyPro outperforms the two active ingredients it contains – an effect that could not achieved by a simple tank mix as the enhanced activation of prothioconazole is not achieved.” adds Stephan

The emulsifier system which facilitates the enhanced performance of RevyPro, was one of over 10,000 discovered and screened by BASF’s supercomputer.

Hundreds of prototype formulation candidates were taken forward and tested in the company’s laboratories before a final choice on the best delivery system was made.

“While active ingredients remain the cornerstone of crop protection performance, it is the formulation that unlocks their full potential – optimising pathogen control, enhancing coverage and uptake and improving stability.

“RevyPro is the perfect example – its formulation ensures its active ingredients are a reliable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution for modern agriculture.”

BASF continue to invest in formulation enhancement to optimise performance of its products in field. RevyPro is just one example of this work that has led to a high performing option for growers.  

For more information on RevyPro^® visit the product page: RevyPro – BASF Agricultural Solutions UK