Koppert announces the launch of Macan, a new biological foliar fungicide in Brazil, providing soybean, corn and sugarcane growers with an innovative solution for the suppression of rusts, leaf spot, target spot and several other foliar diseases. Developed to combine reliable disease control with operational flexibility, Macan represents an important addition to modern crop protection programs and reinforces Koppert’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Foliar diseases can have a significant impact on crop productivity and profitability. In crops such as soybean, corn and sugarcane, diseases including rusts, leaf spot and target spot can substantially reduce both yield and crop quality. As disease pressure increases and resistance management becomes more important, growers are seeking biological solutions that complement conventional fungicide programs while delivering consistent field performance.
Over 15 years of research
Macan is the result of more than 15 years of research and international collaboration across teams and regions. The product is based on an exclusive strain of Bacillus velezensis (CECT 8237), originally discovered by the University of Málaga in Spain and further developed through a strategic partnership with Koppert into an advanced biological formulation. Since 2018, the product has been extensively evaluated under a wide range of field conditions, demonstrating reliable efficacy across multiple crops and environments. Following its registration in Brazil at the end of 2025, Macan will be commercially launched for the upcoming growing season.
“Macan represents an important milestone in expanding Koppert’s biological crop protection portfolio,” said Martin Koppert, Chief Product Officer at Koppert. “Growers are looking for biological solutions that deliver reliable disease control while fitting seamlessly into existing crop protection programs. With Macan, we are bringing together scientific innovation, field performance and operational flexibility in one product.”
Long-lasting protection against foliar disease
A key differentiator of Macan is its formulation technology. Following application, the product rapidly establishes biological activity on the leaf surface due to a unique formulation technology, providing early protection against foliar pathogens. Over time, the bacterium forms a stable biofilm that supports continuous colonization of the leaf, creating a durable biological barrier that contributes to long-lasting protection throughout the crop cycle.
“During product development, we demonstrated that Macan remains biologically active on the leaf surface for at least 14 days after application. The bacteria remain viable throughout this period, continuously colonizing the leaf surface and supporting sustained disease control,” says Thiago Castro, R&D Manager, Brazil.
The product has also shown consistent performance under practical field conditions, including situations where rainfall occurs shortly after application, providing growers with greater confidence under variable environmental conditions.
Easy integration in spraying programs
Beyond its biological performance, Macan has been designed for ease of use in commercial farming operations. The formulation remains stable under a range of spray pressures and water pH conditions and has demonstrated compatibility with many commonly used crop protection products. This operational flexibility enables Macan to integrate easily into existing spray programs while supporting efficient field operations.
An important milestone
The launch of Macan represents an important strategic milestone for Koppert. Currently registered for 13 disease targets in Brazil, the product demonstrates broad potential within disease management programs. Further label expansions are under development to broaden its application and strengthen its value for growers.
With the introduction of Macan, Koppert continues to expand its portfolio of biological crop protection solutions, providing growers with innovative tools to address today’s disease challenges while contributing to the future of sustainable agriculture. “Biological crop protection is becoming an increasingly important component of sustainable agriculture,” added Guido Roozemond, Global Category Lead Bio-fungicides at Koppert. “The launch of Macan reflects Koppert’s long-term commitment to developing innovative biological solutions that combine performance, reliability and ease of use, helping growers produce healthy crops while supporting more resilient farming systems.”
For more information, please visit : https://www.koppert.com/
