sign in sign up
<<
Home , Phosphite anion, Phosphonate, Phosphorous acid

PRODUCTS &TRENDS Phosphites and : When Distributors and Growe

There has been some confusion lately in Europe and or many years foliar rocks. Phospho- North America, now spreading to other parts of the applications of sulphur rus is a component of world, over terms used for and chemicals Fand some trace elements DNA and RNA and an containing . Distributors and growers have such as Zinc, Copper and essential element for all been using phosphate fertilizers for many long years. Manganese have been used in living cells. Due to its high combatting plant pathogens. reactivity, phosphorus is They are familiar with formulations like single super More recently it was also never found as a free ele- phosphate (SSP), triple super phosphate (TSP) proved that e.g. MKP (Mono ment in nature. It is very diammonium phosphate (DAP) but also MAP and MKP Potassium Phosphate) has a reactive and rapidly com- (Monopotassium Phosphate). All of them provide fungicidal activity, not only bines with other elements phosphate derived from phosphoric (H3PO4). The MonoPotassium Phosphites! such as oxygen and hydro- phosphate that plants use is in the form HPO4 and So where is the problem? Is it gen. When fully oxidized, H2PO4, which is quickly converted in soil from primarily that the plant pro- it is bonded with four oxy- fertilizers. Recently, new terms are being used including tection industry, which is gen atoms to form the well (not ), phosphite (not being subject to tough and known phosphate mole- phosphate), and or . Unlike expensive regulation to mar- cule. If not fully oxidized, the phosphoric acid that contains four oxygen atoms, ket its products including then occupies phosphite-based fungicides, the place of one oxygen phosphorous acid (H3PO3) and the related compounds is not happy with the plant atom and the resulting contain only three oxygen atoms. Is that difference of nutrition industry declaring molecule is called phos- one oxygen atom very important? In fact a clear and registering phosphite phite. The most important distinction exists between Phosphoric acid and based products as fertilizers- commercial use of phos- phosphorous acid: the former is a plant nutrient and the generally at no cost and with- phorus-based chemicals is latter has primarily fungicide applications. It is thus very out any delay- even if they the production of fertiliz- obvious that claims suggesting that either compound may have more fungicidal ers, based on phosphates. may exactly fulfill the functions of the other are properties than nutritional In agriculture, an other misleading. Therefore, is the bottom line that on the one impact at the prescribed important use of phospho- side phosphates are what is needed for but will application rate? The plant rus-based chemicals is the protection industry may get production of fungicides have no effect on plant diseases and on the other side even more nervous when the based on phosphites. that phosphites are useful in managing diseases but will accompanying promotional This is all very simple but not provide plants with the phosphate they need? Maybe literature for such products it becomes confusing and not so simple! New Ag International went to investigate describes them more as “bios- misleading when some among suppliers and scientists to try sorting out what is timulants and fortifying web literature of a compa- really true, untrue and partly true? Our findings: What is ingredients “ or even “plant ny having pioneered the true is that plants can absorb the phosphorous acid protectors” than as simple use of phosphites (deriv- compounds through roots and leaves. What is also true source of nutrients! ing from Phosphorous is that plants are incapable of using DIRECTLY the acid) as fertilizer, in its SOME BASICS ABOUT FAQ page, compares Phos- as a nutrient source. What is partly PHOSPHORUS true is that the phosphorous acid compounds can break phorous to Phosphorus Phosphorus is the chemi- (what for?) and describes down in the soil to available forms of P, but this process cal element that has the the latter as “A poisonous is very slow and will not provide adequate P nutrition. symbol P and atomic num- nonmetallic element of the What is untrue is that they can complement and even ber 15. A multivalent non- nitrogen group, obtained replace phosphate fertilizers in all instances. And what is metal of the nitrogen as a white, or yellowish, very true above all is that a number of people from group, phosphorus is com- translucent waxy sub- various bodies entertain confusion in the market! monly found in inorganic stance, having a character-

36 NEW AG INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTS &TRENDS rs alike could get confused!

istic disagreeable smell”. ous phosphorus (P) con- and ) play an phosphonate anion and an Which one would you use taining compounds as fer- important role in agricul- aluminum as the after reading this and tilizers. It concluded that ture as active ingredients counter ion. The problem knowing nothing about Phosphite was a poor in fungicide materials. This (see table 2) is that where- chemistry? source of nutritional Phos- market was pioneered by as some of the phosphite phorus since plants treated Bayer Cropscience with compounds are labeled as PHOSPHITES PRIMARILY by phosphite grew weakly. world-famous brands , which required USED AS FUNGICIDES Therefore at this time Aliette and Fosetyl-Al. the manufacturer/distrib- As early as 1930, a study phosphite couldn’t find a When the patent for the utor to spend the time and was carried out to deter- niche in the market as a trademark Fosetyl-Al money to register the com- mine the efficiency of vari- potential source of plant expired, several other fun- pound, others, in North nutrient. Fourty years later, gicide manufacturers cre- America but also in a num- phosphites returned to the ated phosphite-based ber of European countries market when it was found fungicides by simple for- (Spain, Italy, Germany, that they were very effi- mulation of phosphite etc…) are advertised and cient against the Oomycota with potassium, ammoni- registered as fertilizers, (i.e. species of phytophtho- um, sodium, and alu- which of course bypasses ra and pythium). Today it minum. Trademarks now the expensive and time is well documented that also include, among others consuming registration the toxic effect of phos- ProPhyt (sold by Helena process, and are even now phite to Phytophthora Chemicals), Phostrol tested in organic farming comes from the activation (Nufarm America), Phos- production (e.g. on grapes of defense mechanisms in guard, , etc. Phosphite in France, Germany, Italy)! plants or by direct action fungicides are first formu- These phosphorous acid on this fungal-like organ- lated as ethyl phosphonate compounds, most of them ism, and phosphorous acid by reacting phosphite with based on potassium phos- compounds (phosphite to form the ethyl phites, although active against the Oomycota and some fungal diseases, are claimed to provide phos- phorus nutrition to the plant. True, untrue, partly true? What is true is that plants can absorb these compounds through roots and leaves and once in the plant, the phosphorous compounds are very stable. What is also true is that plants are incapable of using DIRECTLY the phos- phorus acid as a nutrient source. What is partly true is that the phosphorous acid compounds can break down in the soil to avail- able forms of P, but this

NEW AG INTERNATIONAL 37 PRODUCTS &TRENDS

process is quite slow and Table 1: Some products of the Phosphorus family used in agriculture will not provide adequate Name Symbol Comments and speedy P nutrition. The Phosphate Family What is untrue is that they Phosphorus P The chemical element. can complement and even Does not occur as a free element in nature replace phosphate fertiliz- Phosphoric acid H3PO4 Compound found in most phosphate fertilizers. Contains 32% P ers in all instances. Phosphate PO4 Completely dissociated form of H3PO4 A RENEWED INTEREST ON Phosphorus oxide P2O5 Formula used to express the phosphorus content in fertilizers. PHOSPHITES AS PLANT NUTRIENT It does not occur as a free element in nature SINCE THE EARLY NINETIES Finished Phosphate Fertilizers: Single Super Phosphate SSP Dry fertilizer containing about 19% P2O5 What is also true is that the Di Ammonium Phosphate DAP 18-46-0 dry fertilizer effectiveness of phosphites Triple Super Phosphate TSP 0-45-0 dry fertilizer in controlling plant dis- Monopotassium Phosphate MKP 0-52-34 dry fertilizer eases has been hiding their MonoAmmoniumphosphate MAP 12-0-61 dry fertilizer potential as fertilizers. Ammonium Polyphosphate APP 10-34-0 liquid fertilizer However, interest in the subject was renewed when The Phosphite family: Lovatt (1990), now Profes- Phosphorous acid H3PO3 Compound normally marketed as a fungicide. Contains 39% P sor of Plant Physiology at Phosphonate, Phosphite, Phosphonite PO3 Completely dissociated form of H3PO3 the University of Davis in Some phosphite derived products California and the recent Aluminium Phosphite Only marketed as a fungicide co-author of an article on Potassium Phosphite Marketed as a liquid fertilizer, e.g. 0-58-38, 0-30-20 or 0-24-16 the topic (in Better Magnesium & Calcium Phosphite Marketed as fertilizers Crops/Vol 90, 2006, N°4) Ammonium Phosphite Marketed as fertilizer, e.g. 11-35-0 with Mikkelsen (IPNI), Various micronutrients Marketed as fertilizers discovered that P deficien- phosphites (Zn, Mn) cy in citrus species caused Source: Various changes in nitrogen metab- olism. Through the appli- are available in the Ameri- phosphorous acid and all business logically register cation of potassium can and European markets are registered under the their phosphite based phosphite the biochemical and are sold as fertilizers fertilizer laws. The possi- products as fertilizer when response as well as a nor- now includes tens of brand bility of registration of they can do so, some other mal plant growth were names. All of them are for- phosphite as a P fertilizer companies primarily restored. Furthermore, mulated as alkali salts of in most European countr- involved in plant nutrition Lovatt showed that fruit ries is surely due to the register some phosphite set and yield of avocado predefinition in the EU fer- products as ….fungicides! were improved when tilizer laws that the compo- Is this driven by the search potassium phosphite was sition of a P fertilizer for higher mark-ups? Most applied with foliar sprays. should be expressed in of them will find them- This work led to the first terms of P2O5. This is selves disappointed as the commercialization of based on long established market is very crowded phosphite compounds as a practices, which report ele- and is increasingly price fertilizer. A product was ments in oxides, hence, the driven. patented and sold under reporting of P as “% the trademark Nutri-Phite P2O5”. Therefore, CONFLICTING (Biagro Western Sales Inc), although a fertilizer may EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS which is potassium phos- contain phosphite instead The number of products phite, derived from phos- of phosphate this would based on potassium phos- phorous acid, potassium still be conform to the law phites, magnesium phos- , and the organic if Phosphorus is declared phites, calcium phosphites, tripotassium citrate. This as P2O5 in the fertilizer etc. wouldn’t have mush- Avocado is a crop where the product is sold as a P nutri- analysis! roomed in the market if application of phosphite as foliar ent fertilizer for foliar sprays proved beneficial to fruit The “funny” and some- there were no documented application and is used in a set and yield in the early nineties what confusing part of the positive effects of phos- wide variety of field and and helped relaunch the phosphite story is that phite application on crops horticultural crops. The list commercialization of phosphites whereas some companies and in particular if foliar of phosphite products that as fertilizers. primarily in the fungicide application of such prod-

38 NEW AG INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTS &TRENDS

ucts had not proven more Michigan that was traced than just a fungicide effect. back to a 9-18-9 liquid fer- Research from Lovatt and tilizer containing phos- more recently Abrigo phite. The fertilizer was clearly shows that foliar either foliar applied or applications of phosphite applied in a band in con- can replace phosphate in tact with the seed. About citrus and avocado crops 40 litres/ha was used. suffering from P deficien- "Plants showed white, var- cy. In these and other iegated streaking of the crops, such application has leaves in mild cases and proved to be beneficial to spindly, rolled, yellowish- floral intensity, yield, fruit The effectiveness of ammonium phosphite application as a starter white leaves in severe toxi- size, total soluble solids fertilizer for cotton needs further study. city", said Lucas when he and anthocyans concentra- published the results of tion. At the same time tive when the rate and the underline that since phos- investigations in 1979. however, Lowatt and application are properly phite is chemically differ- Interesting, no such symp- Mikkelsen warn that timed to match the needs ent from phosphate, these toms were observed in “phosphite is most effec- of the crop” and they differences must be taken 1976 when the same mate- into consideration to avoid rial was used. plant toxicity. Toxicity, the More recently in 2003, key word for the “anti- ammonium phosphite (11- phosphites” people? To be 35-0) was compared with honest, toxicity of phos- the well known liquid fer- phites is as well document- tilizer ammonium ed as their positive effects, polyphosphate (10-34-0) as if not more! The toxic effect a starter fertilizer on cotton and the additional expens- on irrigated and non-irri- es associated to the use of gated sites in South Geor- phosphites were indeed gia by Dr. Glen Harris, the reasons why research UGA-Tifton. Both materi- almost stopped for many als were applied at 12 gal- years! lons per acre (slightly less Citrus is also a crop where some good results have been achieved with In 1975, problems were than 100 litres/ ha) in a 2x2 foliar sprays of phosphites but there is no definite certainty that such encountered again on over band at planting and results can be replicated every time. 750 ha of corn in southern applied on the surface. The

Table 2: From Fungicides to Fertilizers: The marketing of some products with phosphorous acid & phosphites as active ingredient Product Company Country Active ingredient Marketed as Aliette Bayer Cropscience Germany Fosetyl-Al* Fungicide Nutri-Phite Biagro Western Sales USA Phosphites & organic acids Fertilizer Ele-Max Helena Chemical USA Phosphorous acid Foliar Fertilizer ProPhyt Luxembourg-pamol USA MonoPotassium Phosphite Systemic fungicide Nutrol Lidochem USA Potassium Phosphite Fertilizer and fungicide Phostrol NuFarm America USA Phosphorous acid Biochemical Agrifos Liquid Fert Pty (Agrichem) USA MonoPotassium Phosphite Fungicide Foli-r-fos 400 UiM Agrochemicals Australia MonoPotassium Phosphite Fungicide Fosphite Jh Biotech USA MonoPotassium Phosphite Fungicide Lexx-a-phos Foliar Nutrients Inc USA MonoPotassium Phosphite Fungicide Trafos line Tradecorp Spain Potassium Phosphite Fertilizer & defense stimulator Phytos’K Valagro Italy Potassium Phosphite Biostimulant (registered as EC Fertilizer) Phosfik line Biolchim Italy Phosphorous acid EC fertilizer Fosfisan, Vigorsan, etc Agrofill Italy Potassium Phosphite Defense Stimulator (registered as fertilizer) Geros-K L-Gobbi Italy Potassium Phosphite EC fertilizer Kalium Plus Lebosol Germany Potassium Phosphite EC fertilizer Frutoguard Spiess Urania Germany Potassium Phosphite EC Fertilizer Foliaphos** Plantin France Potassium Phosphite EC Fertilizer *: Fosetyl-Al is an aluminium phosphite. **: not sold in France. Source: New Ag International database & others.

NEW AG INTERNATIONAL 39 PRODUCTS &TRENDS

AN INTERVIEW WITH E. Datnoff Prof Lawrence E. Datnoff, Plant Pathology Department and E.H Simonne, Assistant Professor, Horticultural Science Dpt, University of Florida Both scientists are well with phosphonate or phos- pathogens (J. Plant Nutrition placed to have a critical phate grew equally well and 23:161-180). view on the claims attrib- the P content of the leave tis- uted to phosphites. Prof sue did not differ significant- Can some phosphate con- Datnoff is the co-editor of ly between these two taining fertilizers such as the recently released refer- sources [Citrus seedling MonoPotassiumPhosphate ence book “Mineral Nutri- growth and susceptibility to help control some tion and Plant Diseases” Phytophthora root rot are pathogens? and E.H. Simonne, an affected by phosphate and It is widely reported in the expert in water and nutrient phosphate sources of phos- literature that balanced and management of vegetable phorus 2007, J. Plant Nutr. adequate fertility for any

crops, is the co-author with (in press)]. crop reduces plant stress, Courtesy of NAI L. Datnoff of a reference improves physiological func- E. H. Simonne article published in 2005, Is there any valid evidence tion, and decreases disease entitled “Phosphorous acid that phosphorous acid and risk. However, information and Phosphoric acid: When phosphites improve plant on P nutrition on plant dis- all P sources are not equal”. growth? eases in the literature is Phosphorous acid is known inconsistent. Depending on Does phosphonate get con- to have a direct effect against the P source, form, crop and verted into phosphate in the Oomycota (i. e. species of plant disease, P can increase, plants and in soils? Phytophthora and Pythi- decrease or have no effect on From what is in the litera- um). This fungal-like group plant disease. That being ture, some chemical conver- of plant pathogens causes a said, Reuveni and his collab- sion (slow) of phosphonate number of important plant orators demonstrated that to phosphate may occur in diseases. The mechanism of foliar applications of mono- soil by microorganisms and action of phosphorus acid is potassium phosphate non-enzymatic oxidative believed to be due to its induced systemic and local

processes since no enzymes stimulating the plant’s natu- protection of cucumber to Courtesy of NAI such as phosphonite oxidase ral defense response against powdery mildew develop- proportion coming from the or phosphate reductase are pathogen attack. As such, by ment (Crop Protection phosphate and phosphite known to occur. This leaves controlling disease you 19:355-361 2000). forms respectively? the conversion of phospho- would improve plant health Not currently but if some- nates into phosphate once and consequently plant Is there in the USA an offi- thing is to be found, it will be inside the plant with no doc- growth. There is some liter- cial method of analysis that in looking at colorimetric umented answer. However, ature also suggesting that allows laboratories to list methods vs. spectrophoto- Orbovic and his colleagues phosphorus acid or its salts separately within the over- metric ones. Perhaps, ion recently demonstrated that promotes plant growth even all Phosphorus content of a chromatography could be citrus seedlings supplied in the absence of plant commercial fertilizer, the used, too. ammonium phosphite In 2004, farmers in south- symptoms of phosphite Whiley already 10 years resulted in shorter plants eastern Alabama, southern toxicity were even before. at the fourth true leaf stage Georgia and northern described as very similar but no differences in leaf P Florida have experienced to damage, A NEED FOR A BETTER LEGISLATION concentration and no sig- problems on maize (toxici- which prompted Monsan- AND TRANSPARENCY ON LABELS? nificant differences in yield ty) that were described as to in 2005 to issue again In Europe, the most recent at harvest were observed. being related to the use of reports and releases stipu- findings published in 2006 Therefore, conclusions a “non-conventional fertil- lating that glyphosate was by the Institute of Plant from this one-year test izer material” as a starter degraded into inorganic Nutrition and Soil Science were ". . .inconclusive and fertilizer. The material, phosphates/phosphoric and the Institute of Ecolog- the effectiveness of 11-35-0 ammonium phosphite, acid in the soil and the ical Chemistry and Waste (ammonium phosphite) as was used in a manner sim- environment, not phos- Analysis, both located in a starter fertilizer for cot- ilar to ammonium phites or phosphorous Braunschweig, Germany, ton needs further study." polyphosphates. The acid as suggested by seem to well summarize

40 NEW AG INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTS &TRENDS

WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT PHOSPHITES Peter Marti, Export Director , Biolchim Spa, Italy “We offer to the growers a with various components growth and subsequent complete range of twenty generating stabilized phos- increased yield. phosphites based products phite salts. These phos- In the recent years, the under the trademark phites quickly penetrate the efforts of our tech & sales PHOSFIK®, characterized crop tissues and provide a teams helped us develop a by the addition to the phos- nutritional action as well as substantial presence in the phorus of one or more ele- a boosting coadjuvant effect key Italian crop segments, ments (K, Fe, Cu, Mg, Mn, to fungicides applied to con- namely grapes, citrus, stone Zn, etc.), each formula trol the main fungal dis- fruits, olives and hydroponic specifically tailored to the eases. crops. At international level, most important crops By enlarging the vascular I just want to mention our (industrial, horticultural system of the plant, our massive success in Germany

and fruit trees), for foliar or products stimulate to the with PHOSFIK® 3-27-18 + Courtesy of Biolchim fertigation application. optimum the assimilation of T.E. on strawberries and FIK® line represents indeed By means of their peculiar phosphite and other Solavit Mn, specifically tai- the very best answer to the chemical formulation the nutrients carried in the for- lored for potatoes to increase need of growers for a correct whole PHOSFIK® line is mulation, allowing the plant yield and to promote homo- and innovative nutritional processed at our factory by to maximize phosphorus geneous tuber calibration and disease-control coadju- a reaction that starts from availability along with a bet- and quality parameters. For vating strategy in agricultur- phosphorous acid reacting ter nutritional balance, us at Biolchim, the PHOS- al crops”. and reconfirm earlier to be oxidized to phosphate. conclusions from German Europe, most Potassium research done elsewhere The reduced growth observed researchers is a key point Phosphite based products on maize: “The detection of in phosphite treated plants indeed! Phosphite may go (using the raw material 0- different phosphite concentra- was especially evident under undetected by most agri- 58-38 at a usual dilution tions in phosphite fertilized conditions of P deficiency. cultural testing laborato- rate of 50-60%) are regis- maize plants indicates that This could result from a sup- ries that are set up to test tered as PK fertilizers (e.g. this P compound is well pression of the natural mech- for orthophosphate. So far, Italian law 217, EU 2003 absorbed by plant roots. After anisms of plants to respond to approved techniques for regulation, etc.). Until phosphite foliar application, P deficiency. These results fertilizer testing only recently there were no offi- this compound was also should be considered as an measures orthophos- cial analytical methods to detectable in all parts of maize aspect of the German fertiliz- phates. However, some individuate the content of plants, which proves its er law: in the future, the P non-regulatory laborato- PO3. For this reason, the phloem and xylem mobility. content of marketable mineral ries are switching to induc- inspection of such prod- The phosphite accumulation fertilizers is to disclose specif- tively coupled argon ucts was always finding a was notably high in develop- ically in terms of soluble plasma technology for rap- 0% content for PO4, which ing corncobs. Phosphite is phosphate or phosphite id analysis of several ele- is of course not acceptable obviously stable within the instead of generalized ments simultaneously. for a “phosphate fertiliz- plant metabolism process as “P2O5”, as hitherto”. This technology has the er”! Today, an official ana- only small amounts appeared The last sentence from the capability of measuring lytical method exists for total P whether orthohos- PO3 that is used by inspec- phate, phosphite, or solu- tors when the presence of bilized organic P. If this Phosphites is indicated on technique were used to the label, which is not com- measure total P, it could pulsory because the only create the impression that compulsory mention for plant-available P is higher fertilizers is the P2O5 con- than it really is if some of tent! Therefore a problem this P was phosphite. Test- of transparency is still ing for the there! alone is tedious and expen- The market for phosphites sive but it may be the price based plant nutrition prod- Corn is one of the most tested crops for effect of phosphite application, to pay for a better trans- ucts has grown during the with contrasted and sometimes controversial results. parency in the market. In past years and it would

NEW AG INTERNATIONAL 41 PRODUCTS &TRENDS

COULD PHOSPHITE BE A NEW FUNGICIDE FOR ORGANIC FARMING? Bernhard Speiser and Lucius Tamm, FiBL, Switzerland

cetes in various crops. In the phite residues were also early 1990ies, it was exten- found in other crops (e.g. sively tested on organically potato, celery) treated with grown grapevines in potassium phosphonate. Switzerland. It was effective From a toxicological point against downy mildew of view, these residues are (Plasmopara viticola), and of no concern. However, blocked the disease up to 3 consumers of organic wine days after infection. Phos- expect to buy a «natural» phite was mobile and very product, and we assume persistent in plants and that they would not could be detected in grapes approve the presence of Bernhard Speiser Lucius Tamm harvested one year after the such quantities of fungicide Courtesy of FiBL last application. Analyses of residues in organic wine. “Potassium phosphite, also with the organophospho- 53 wine samples reveiled Currently, potassium phos- called «phosphonate», is a rous insecticides which are that the treatment phonate is not authorized as salt of phosphonic acid also called «phospho- inevitably leads to phos- a fungicide for organic with the formula K2HPO3. nates». Potassium phos- phite residues in wine, usu- farming in the EU, and we It should not be confound- phite can be used as a ally ranging between 5000 – do not recommend its use in ed with phosphates, nor fungicide against oomy- 10000 ppb phosphite. Phos- the future”. certainly necessitate a bit ply to most processors has more transparency. Some been taken over by Chi- suppliers firmly believe in nese manufacturers (cur- the future of the market rently already supplying a while others are not so number of Italian proces- enthusiastic: “ it is a sort of sors and a good part of the commodity, we have one spanish ones) although it product but it is not a seems that the perform- strategic line for us”, says ance of the cristalline raw one Italian supplier while material coming from Chi- others, e.g. Biolchim (see na (then dissolved by interview) or Tradecorp European importers to (Spain) are expanding their make a liquid finished range. The mood seems to product) is not as good as be as contrasted in North that of liquid product America, with one big sup- directly obtained through plier of specialty plant some different manufac- nutrition products saying “ turing processes. In the we are presently not meantime, distributors involved in phosphites- we and growers should be have been presented with aware that phosphite fertil- a number of opportunities izers, if not formulated and but have thus far chosen to used correctly in consulta- stay with other foliar prod- tion with professionals, ucts and biological disease have a significant potential control agents. The market to be phytotoxic whereas if is pretty crowded and the formulated and used cor- margins are pretty thin for rectly they may well fit in a number of these prod- an optimized crop cultiva- ucts”. tion package, especially for The future will tell who selected cash crops. ■ was right, especially after the lion’s share of the sup-

26 NEW AG INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTS &TRENDS

NEW AG INTERNATIONAL 27