Field trial carried out by the University of Florida showed high efficacy in controlling a dangerous pathogen in field strawberries

Costa Rica, 19th Aug 2026 — ClearLeaf, a Costa Rican company with proven success in formulating non-toxic agricultural products to protect important crops, today announced that its non-toxic fungi bactericide, GotaBlanca, proved highly effective in controlling the devastating Pestalotia leaf spot and fruit rot diseases in field strawberries in a trial conducted by the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. 

UF researchers designed the study to identify fungicide alternatives to control Neopestalotiopsis, the causal agent of this aggressive and rapidly emerging disease that have pushed growers to their limits in Florida and other growing regions in the Americas.  Concerns about fungicide resistance underscore the need for additional products with different modes of action to support long-term disease management. The trial evaluated a range of fungicide mixes and formulations alongside a new generation of technologies.  GotaBlanca significantly outperformed some of the other new generation technologies, with the added benefits of having a low risk of generating microbial resistance and being non-toxic to soils, workers and on-farm biological diversity. 

“We are pleased with the results but not surprised,” said Dr. Agustin Buchert, Chief Science Officer at ClearLeaf. “They are consistent with our proven efficacy on more than 50 different fungal and bacterial pathogens in more than 40 crops. Strawberry growers in our Latin American markets use GotaBlanca specifically as a non-toxic strategy for Neopestalotiopsis, which also breaks resistance and reduces re-entry periods.” 

The lead researcher, Dr. Natalia Peres at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center commented ““Growers need additional fungicide options for managing Neopestalotiopsis, and our objective was to evaluate how new products perform under Florida field conditions. GotaBlanca performed well in this trial and merits further evaluation.”

GotaBlanca is particularly relevant for strawberry growers because of how it works and what it does not leave behind. GotaBlanca does not interfere with plant metabolism or photosynthesis, so it supports crop vigor rather than costing yield. Its multi-site mode of action gives pathogens no single target to adapt to, so it presents a much lower risk of resistance development than products with a single-site mode of action. Because the formulation is non-toxic to workers, soil biology and on-farm beneficial organisms, it shortens or removes re-entry restrictions, allowing picking crews back into the block without interrupting harvest, and leaves no residue of regulatory concern for buyers and export markets.

About ClearLeaf

ClearLeaf, Inc. is dedicated to empowering farmers with safe solutions that optimize crop production while minimizing worker, consumer, and environmental impact. Through innovative technology and a commitment to sustainability, we are transforming agricultural practices worldwide.

Disclaimer: GotaBlanca is currently registered for use or sale in select international markets.  GotaBlanca is not currently registered for sale, distribution, or commercial use within the United States or its territories- a U.S. EPA registration is planned.  

For more information, visit clearleaf.ag or contact media@clearagro.com.

Media Contact

Organization: ClearLeaf, Inc.

Contact Person: Lawrence Pratt

Website: https://clearagro.com

Email: Send Email

Country:Costa Rica

Release id:48248

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