Active ingredients of Cedroz

Cedroz is a nature-identical, terpene-based soil care solution developed to help growers combat nematodes.

What are terpenes?

Widespread in nature, terpenes are primary constituents in the essential oils of many plants and flowers, giving them their characteristic aroma or odor. A naturally occurring hydrocarbon, terpenes represent the largest class of secondary metabolites.

What do terpenes do?

Aside from adding to the aroma and taste of certain plants, terpenes regulate their interactions with the environment and are produced as a natural defense against parasites, predators, abiotic stresses, and mechanical injuries. They also help plants attract pollinators. Thousands of terpenes exist in nature. Common fruit, vegetables, spices, and herbs that contain natural terpenes include cinnamon, blueberries, tea, thyme, grapes, and carrots.

How are terpenes classified?

Terpenes, also called isoprenoids, are characterized by the presence of a basic structure made of isoprene molecules, each containing five carbon atoms (C₅H₈ 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene).

Terpenes are divided into different categories based on the number of isoprene units present, as shown in the following table.

Which category of terpenes is Cedroz based on?

Cedroz is a suspension of capsules in aqueous solution (CS) containing a mixture of two monoterpenes: thymol and geraniol.

These two active compounds together have a synergistic mode of action that increases their efficacy in treated soil. Eden Research PLC created the Cedroz formulation as an environmentally favorable method to manage plant parasitic nematodes. Eastman has since developed this sustainable, nature-identical nematicide and has succeeded in proving, via in-field trials, effective performance against root-knot nematode attack. Cedroz is shown to help growers achieve high-quality products and high yields.

The terpenes geraniol and thymol have been approved by the EU Commission for use in organic farming in the EU, so Cedroz can now be added to the toolbox of organic farmers looking for a solution against nematodes.