How KAMAB 26
was developed.
Product History
An Italian Story of Insight, Research, and Success.
In the 1970s, vineyards began to show increasing numbers of flaccid or shrivelled grapes, or even entire bunches withered, often linked to desiccated rachises. The phenomenon has a heavy impact on both production (with losses of up to 20-40%) and quality, with uneven ripening, reduction of Brix degree and increase in acidity.
Most initially suspected fungal or pest attacks, but careful observation in Rutigliano, Puglia, revealed the problem was physiological, not fungal.
In Puglia, in the Rutigliano area, an agronomist who walked these vineyards daily for both work and passion observed the vines’ growth, recognised the effects of nutrition, pathogens, and environmental stress, and realised that the problem threatening Puglia’s viticulture was not caused by a fungus.
He also noted that in vineyards where Bordeaux mixture was included in the defence strategy, the incidence of rachis desiccation was lower than in those treated with copper alone.
From this observation came the insight: rachis desiccation is not a fungal disease, but a calcium-related physiopathy.
He developed this idea further, exploring the nutritional aspects in depth. Among the first to intuit that although attributable to calcium deficiency, it is also closely linked to the vigour of the plant and the conditions of water and heat stress. He realised that simply supplying calcium was not enough, as its absorption competes with magnesium, and, unlike many others, he recognised the crucial role of potassium in maintaining the nutritional balance between calcium and magnesium.
From this vision,
a new challenge emerged.
The goal: to create a product capable of
effectively restoring nutritional balance.
The agronomist became a formulator. He studied, experimented, and realised that a simple balanced mixture of Ca, Mg, and K was not enough; what was needed was a formulation that could penetrate plant tissues and release nutrients efficiently.
He enhanced the product with technology that improves nutrient absorption and translocation, allowing plants to restore their physiological balance.
This is how KAMAB 26 was developed.
Since then, this product, originally developed for Apulian vineyards, has become an essential tool for farmers, who have recognised its value and extended its use to all crops where imbalances of calcium, magnesium, and potassium compromise yield and quality.
From the grapes of Rutigliano to the world: today, in 2026, KAMAB is applied to over 30 crops in more than 70 countries.
Adriatica S.p.A.
Strada Dogado 300/19-21 – Loreo (RO) – ITALY