Goal: To evaluate the biological efficacy of Cyclops, an organic fungicide made with cinnamon and clove oil, for the control of:
Phytophthora Root Rot in Sweet Pepper
Cercospora / Septoria Leaf Spot in Celery
Alternaria Leaf Spot in Tomato
Additionally, to compare its performance against conventional commercial fungicides.
Date: June, 2021
Location: Orange Grove, Trinidad and Tobago
Crop: Vegetables
Collaborators: ExcelAg Caribbean Team
Mrs. Reyshma Baah (Product Development Manager) – Caribbean Chemicals Trinidad
Mr. Shayam Mohammed (Technical Sales Representative) – Caribbean Chemicals Trinidad
INTRODUCTION
Cyclops is an organic fungicide composed of Cinnamon Oil and Clove Oil, both known for their natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It is OMRI certified for organic production and is designed to control a wide range of soilborne and foliar fungal diseases.
This study assessed the curative effectiveness of Cyclops in real field conditions where diseases were already present.
METHODOLOGY
Design: Randomized Block Design
Applications: Three (3) applications at 7-day intervals
Evaluations: Six (6) evaluations total, over a three-week period after the final application
Plot Size: 50–100 m² per treatment
Type of Trial: Curative
Table 1. Treatments (drench) evaluated for the efficacy of Cyclops for the control of Phytophthora Root Rot (Phytophthora infestans) in Sweet Pepper.
Table 2. Treatments (foliar) evaluated for the efficacy of Cyclops for the control of Cercospora / Septoria Leaf Spot in Celery and Alternaria Leaf Spot (Alternaria solani) in Tomato.
Table 3. Field Key to assess the severity of disease in the Evaluation of the Biological Efficacy of Cyclops for the control of Phytophthora Root Rot (Phytophthora infestans) in Sweet Pepper, Cercospora / Septoria Leaf Spot in Celery and Alternaria Leaf Spot (Alternaria solani) in Tomato.
Table 4. Key for evaluating toxicity in the Evaluation of the Biological Efficacy of Cyclops in the control of Phytophthora Root Rot (Phytophthora infestans) in Sweet Pepper, Cercospora / Septoria Leaf Spot in Celery and Alternaria Leaf Spot (Alternaria solani) in Tomato.
RESULTS
TRIAL 1. Average % of plants affected in the treatments (drench)for Phytophthora Root Rot (Phytophthora infestans), in the cultivation of Sweet Peppers.
- Cyclops at 10ml/4L was highly effective, performing nearly as well as Zampro, a leading chemical fungicide.
- Outperformed commercial combinations such as Serenade + Acrobat.
- Lower rates (2.5ml and 5ml) were less effective, likely due to soil variability and heavy rainfall during the trial.
- No phytotoxicity observed at any application rate, confirming crop safety.
TRIAL 2 Average % of leaf area affected in the treatments (foliar) for Cercospora / Septoria Leaf Spot (Cercospora / Septoria spp.), in the cultivation of Celery.
Cyclops at 10ml/4L achieved the best disease control, reducing infection by 58% compared to the untreated control.
Outperformed commercial references like Bellis + Acrobat and Serenade + Titan, which achieved 39% control.
Lower application rates of Cyclops were less effective, highlighting the importance of optimal dosage.
TRIAL 3 Average % of leaf area affected in the treatments (foliar) for Alternaria Leaf Spot (Alternaria solani) in the cultivation of Tomato
Cyclops at 7.5ml/4L reduced disease by 27% compared to the control.
Cyclops at 10ml/4L also showed good efficacy, performing similarly to commercial fungicides.
Proven effective as a reliable organic alternative for managing Alternaria in tomato crops.
CONCLUSIONS
Cyclops at 10ml/4L demonstrated strong potential for controlling Phytophthora Root Rot in sweet pepper and was comparable to commercial fungicides.
It showed outstanding results in celery, where it was more effective than the conventional fungicides tested.
Cyclops also proved effective against Alternaria Leaf Spot in tomato, particularly at 7.5ml/4L and 10ml/4L.
No phytotoxic effects were observed in any of the crops.
Cyclops is a promising organic solution for fungal disease management and is a candidate for commercialization in vegetable production systems.
