Lucius Tamm, director for cooperation and head of department of crop sciences at FiBL, drew attention to the role of biocontrol when it comes to sustainability: “Agricultural systems and processes must become more sustainable in the future. Biocontrol delivers crucial solutions and can shape this transformation process to sustainable agriculture successfully."
This was a theme expanded on in the keynote presentations. COPA president for European farmers, Christiane Lambert, spoke on the role of biocontrol in the transformation of agriculture in her keynote address. Edouard Lehmann, research and innovation manager at COLEACP, spoke of the challenges and opportunities for tropical horticulture. The session will be available for online viewing from 1 November on the ABIM website.
More than 970 participants from 44 nations were able to network face-to-face, and there were 71 exhibitors, said the organizers.
Drift reducing agents (DRAs) improve environmental and user safety of agricultural spray applications. Looking to employ bio-based and biodegradable raw materials as DRAs, xanthan gum is an excellent choice. Jungbunzlauer is one of the largest producers of this microbial extracellular polysaccharide that is obtained through fermentation using solely non-GMO strains. The company investigated the performance of xanthan gum compared to guar gum as DRA using rheological measurements, droplet sizing and efficacy trials with dicamba.
Flow curve measurements showed that at the same usage rate, xanthan gum displays viscosity 10 times higher than guar gum in the low shear regime (shear rate 1 s-1). This inherent property of xanthan gum potentially leads to a better cling to leaf, less product roll-off from the leaf and therefore better spray efficacy. Maintaining the integrity of the molecular structure of the DRA throughout the spraying process is important. Synthetic, high molecular weight polymers can be susceptible to mechanical damage during tank recirculation, and thus rapidly lose their efficacy (1). The measurements showed that xanthan gum maintains the same viscosity under constant shear over time. The intense shear occurring at the nozzle exit leads to a significant reduction in viscosity (shear-thinning), which is why xanthan gum solutions exhibit good sprayability. When returning to minimal shear, such as in a droplet sitting on the plant surface, viscosity is fully restored within seconds.
An important prerequisite for the successful use of xanthan gum as a DRA is its straightforward incorporation into the spray liquid. Pre-dispersing xanthan gum particles in a liquid, non-aqueous, water-soluble carrier such as CITROFOL® AI (triethyl citrate) enables a pourable product with high xanthan gum loading to be obtained. When added to the spray liquid, the xanthan gum particles easily disperse and hydrate without forming lumps. Alternatively, an agglomerated xanthan gum grade such as that offered by Jungbunzlauer can be used. Agglomerated grades consist of xanthan gum that has been treated in a special process to generate large, but porous particles, the structure of which allows homogeneous dispersion and fast hydration. The reduction of driftable fines was studied in spray trials using an air induction nozzle. Laser diffraction analysis was used to determine the droplet size distribution of solutions containing xanthan gum at concentrations as low as 0.06%, a guar gum based commercial DRA benchmark, and combinations with the model active substance dicamba. All DRAs led to a significant increase in the volumetric median diameter (VMD or Dv50) (figure 1) and significantly decreased the amount of driftable fines < 210 µm compared to water or dicamba alone (figure 2). Both the benchmark DRA and xanthan gum in a pourable format with CITROFOL® AI effectively reduced driftable fines by 63%, whereas xanthan gum alone reduced driftable fines by 75% compared to the control. The herbicidal effect of dicamba on Chenopodium album L. when sprayed together with DRAs was
also investigate; xanthan gum proved fully compatible.
Xanthan gum’s favourable viscosity profile at low usage concentrations and its proven efficacy in reducing driftable fines make it a suitable and biodegradable choice to guide the active to where it needs to be. ●
Innovation in biocontrol was marked by the presentation of the Bernard Blum Award, which this year went to Israeli company BioBee for its slow-release predatory mite product.
The keynote addresses were well received at ABIM 2021
A need for better recognition and common rules for biocontrol at EU level “The context is favourable for biocontrol,” claimed Christiane Lambert, president of COPA COGECA, introducing ABIM 2021 in her keynote speech. “In all types of agriculture, these solutions are part of virtuous cultivation practices. Growers cannot stay without solutions and they need a sufficient number of tools in the face of pest pressure.” Lambert specified that farmers are still limited by the reduced number of biocontrol products and their price. Obviously, the cost/effectiveness ratio is a major entry point in the market. “We need common rules at EU level. However, the file stumbles on the marketing of biocontrol products, with a lack of communication between countries. The biocontrol dynamic exists, but it remains to make it work at full power,” noted Lambert.
Need for a clear framework Bruno Ferreira, general director for food with the French ministry of agriculture and food, also expressed the need for better recognition and common rules for biocontrol at EU level. Despite major progress, biocontrol deployment still faces challenges: limited solutions, need of support and training, adaptation of machinery, and storage and distribution.
Christiane Lambert, president of COPA COGECA, spoke on the role of biocontrol in the transformation of agriculture in her keynote address.
“Biological control is part of the solutions, but it needs to be deployed in a clear framework,” said Ferreira, adding that France has adopted a definition since 2014, with the French law (CRPML253-6) on the future of food, agriculture and forestry. This concept of biocontrol includes macro-organisms and plant protection products as micro-organisms, semiochemicals and natural substances of plant, animal or mineral origin. In 2018, the French Parliament launched a national strategy for the deployment of biocontrol by supporting research and field deployment, and by easing marketing of low-risk attractants. As a result, 330 non-Indigenous biocontrol agents (BCAs) are authorized and 70 Indigenous BCAs are declared in France. Since 2009, the sales of active substances for biocontrol and organic farming showed a continuous growth up to 21,000 tons in 2020. At the same time in France, since 2016, there was an inflexion in sales of conventional active substances, decreasing from 18,300 in 2009 to 8,000 million tons in 2020. “We have established a specific network to ease the development of biocontrol methods, in particular if they are at low risk, with Ecophyto program for farmers and the system of CEPP, that promotes biocontrol at sales level,” said Ferreira. He announced that two billion euros will be invested in 2021 for research and transition in French agriculture, and a part will be supporting and promoting biocontrol. “This investment in 2021 will contribute to the process of registration of biosolutions, which is still long and difficult in France,” noted Ferreira.
Literature1. Lewis RW, Evans RA, Malic N, Saito K, Cameron NR. Polymeric Drift Control Adjuvants for Agricultural Spraying. Macromol Chem Phys. 2016;217(20):2223–42.
Bruno Ferreira, General Director for Food, French Ministry of Agriculture and Food
BioBee receives Bernard Blum Award 2021 Selected by the IBMA jury for the quality of their innovations in biocontrol, BioBee, Certis, Bioline and Bee Vectoring Technologies received their awards on 19 October in Basel, as part of the ABIM 2021 Conference.
The first prize was awarded to BioBee Sde Eliyahu Ltd, for its controlled release sachets of the auxiliary Phytoseiulus persimilis, allowing long predation of pest mites in greenhouses. BioBee modified the rearing method of the auxiliary and developed a colour change for Phytoseiulus, indicating that it had ingested mite eggs. The second prize went to Certis Europe for Problad, a fungicide of 100 percent natural origin extracted from lupine, which brings a new mode of action on many pathogens. Bee Vectoring Technologies ranked third for its Vectorite product, a patented powder that sticks on the bees, which transport the active ingredients to the plants. Bioline Agrosciences received an award in the category “best innovative product of biocontrol aid” for T-Booster, its technique of high-speed spreading trichogram capsules. ●
(clockwise) Owen Jones (IBMA), Shimon Steinberg (BioBee), David Cary (IBMA) and Arnon Tabic (BioBee)
Caroline Reid (Bioline) and David Cary (IBMA)
Achich Malik (CEO BVT) and Owen Jones (IBMA)
Céline Ramponi-Bur (Certis) and David Cary (IBMA)
All photos: Marianne Loison
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Vancouver, Canada-based Renaissance BioScience Corp. announced that an independent test of its environmentally safe, RNA-based biopesticide technology conducted on Colorado potato beetle (CPB) larvae resulted in 98.3 percent mortality and greatly reduced the amount of plant damage caused by the beetle.
The proof-of-concept test, conducted by a leading international agriculture consultancy with expertise in pesticide evaluation, applied Renaissance’s proprietary yeast-based RNA interference technology that is designed to precisely target and turn off a specific CPB gene. This, in turn, resulted in high CPB mortality and protected the potato plant.
A key characteristic and industrial benefit of the Renaissance novel proprietary RNA production and oral delivery platform technology is that it’s possible to include multiple different gene targets in each cell of the delivery system, thereby greatly reducing or eliminating the potential for CPB to develop resistance to this biopesticide.
Renaissance BioScience CEO Dr. John Husnik said the company still has work to do but the findings confirm the potential for the technology for crop protection. “Given that the large-scale, low-cost production of yeast is already readily available from well-established global yeast companies, our focus now is maximizing effectiveness through further laboratory tests and field trials and organizing appropriate commercial partners for the next phases of product development.” ●
Biotalys has been awarded a multi-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to discover novel antifungal biocontrols for deployment to smallholder farmers.
The project, identified as Agrobodies for Crop Protection, focuses on leveraging Biotalys’ AGROBODY Foundry technology platform to discover novel protein-based biofungicides with the ability to control Cercospora canescens, the causative agent of leaf spot disease, a disease of cowpea and other legumes.
During the course of the four-year project, Biotalys will receive a $5.98 million (€5.14 million) grant in non-refundable instalments to achieve, by the end of 2025, proof-of-concept of effective on planta protection of the cowpea crop from leaf spot by an AGROBODY bioactive with potential cross-efficacy against other Cercospora diseases (such as C. beticola) for broader application across different crops. ●
De Sangosse Group has made another acquisition, adding biopesticide company Agronaturalis Ltd. to its portfolio. Agronaturalis Ltd. specializes in products based on potassium bicarbonate and naturally occurring fungicides.
As a member of the De Sangosse Group, Agronaturalis Ltd. will continue to operate as an independent UK-based company. The only changes in Agronaturalis Ltd. will be the retirement of Dr. Stephen Shires as owner and managing director and of Jean-Pierre Laffranque as development manager in France, said the joint statement. Dr. Richard Milling will take over the role of managing director of Agronaturalis Ltd.
In May 2021, De Sangosse acquired plant nutrition specialist Fertiplus France and its international subsidiaries.●
Idai Nature continues its activities in Mexico through announced label expansions for three of its products in-country: White Fly, Santem, and Clean Soil.
WhiteFly has been approved for use on more crops, such as citrus, mushroom, leafy vegetables and brassicas. CleanSoil extends its use to avocado, banana, citrus, berries, brassicas and alliaceae. Santem extends its use to crops such as avocado, berries, brassicas and mustard.
This extension was granted by the Mexican Secretariat of Health, and provides farmers with greater versatility in terms of authorized product uses, thus promoting the spread of agricultural treatments free of chemical residues.
In July, Idai Nature obtained a label extension in Mexico for two of its biofungicides Rador and Naturdai Mim. The company also launched Prev-am in Mexico in May, a biofungicide product manufactured by Oro Agri, the South African company that was acquired by Rovensa in November 2020. Idai Nature is part of the Rovensa Group. ●
Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. has identified three microbes with promising herbicidal properties that the company is looking to develop further.
The first two, MBI-005 and MBI-011, have prior regulatory approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and now are undergoing further formulation refinement. The third, MBI-014/015, has progressed to advanced stages of development. Current results indicate that MBI-014/015 has herbicidal properties estimated to be 50-to-100 times more active than leading chemical alternatives.
From the more than 12,000 microbes screened, the company’s R&D team has discovered approximately 500 herbicidal microbes that can be advanced through genomics, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology systems. This broad library of microbes may potentially lead to the discovery of additional novel active ingredients and new modes of action. ●
Novozymes is launching five biological solutions in the U.S., enabling farmers to improve yield and fertility, and increase the application of biocontrol, as well as dealing with issues of nutritional availability and efficiency.
The new Novozymes products available in the U.S. include BioniQ, an inoculant for row crops that combines three biological actives that together help promote stronger roots, greater nutrient availability and better yield. TagTeam BioniQ Pro and TagTeam BioniQ Chickpea, for pulse and chickpea crops, are inoculants that combine four active biologicals for improved stress tolerance, nutritional availability and efficiency, and enhanced yield.
Optimize FXC for soybeans improves upon Optimize XC by using fortified LCO resulting in higher yields and better nitrogen fixation, accessibility to soil nutrients, and water absorption. Finally, Taegro 2 for fruit and vegetable crops is a broad spectrum, foliar fungicide, which provides protection against a wide range of soilborne and foliar pathogens.
"Having already seen the benefits of our new BioniQ technology with Canadian growers over the last season, I am excited that we are able to bring the same to our U.S. customers,” said Darrell Wolkowski, Novozymes BioAg’s regional commercial lead for the northern U.S. and Canada. Novozymes maintains production facilities for the agriculture industry in Salem, Virginia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Saskatoon, Canada. ●
High magnification image of a pea aphid (Acyrthosipon pisum). Pea aphids are one of many species of insects that will be studied in the new University of Saskatchewan Insect Research Facility. Photo: Berenice Romero
A Glasgow University spinout specializing in the next generation of green insecticides has secured seed investment of £1.3 million to support ongoing development of its nature-inspired pesticides, the first of their kind to be developed worldwide.
Established in May 2020 – after four years of research funded by UKRI BBSRC and the EC, along with commercialization support from Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Programme – SOLASTA Bio develops environmentally-friendly products to meet the global need for new and effective crop protection tools.
The company has developed the world’s first technology platform for creating neuropeptide-based insect control products that are nature-inspired. The products target insect pests while preserving beneficial pollinators in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Disturbance of target physiological processes by neuropeptide-based bioinsecticides leads to death in pest species, and the company indicates SOLASTA Bio’s platform can be mobilized for any pest of interest.
Investors in this seed funding round include The Yield Lab Europe, SIS Ventures, members of Cambridge Agritech and UKI2S, which also provided access to the UKI2S managed Innovate UK Sub Fund grant. Founding investors UKI2S and Scottish Enterprise provided pre-seed funding.
With this latest funding secured, SOLASTA Bio is aiming to take the trials of its biopesticides out of the laboratory and into real-world settings. The company aims to bring its first biopesticides to market in 2027. ●
The new University of Saskatchewan (USask) Insect Research Facility (USIRF) in Saskatchewan, Canada, will be the first of its kind in a western Canadian university and one of only a handful of facilities in the country specifically designed to conduct research on arthropod plant pests and beneficial insects.
Research at USIRF will find new methods for predicting pest outbreaks and decreased pesticide use. Once complete, the USIRF will hold dozens of different species of insects at a time.
The USIRF will be led by Dr. Sean Prager (PhD), the first entomologist at USask’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources. He was specifically recruited in response to increased need for entomological research, training and instruction in Saskatchewan and at USask.
Funding for the design and construction of the USIRF will be provided from a variety of sources. Contributions include $500,000 from Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) as part of its $32 million Capacity Initiative. Additional funding includes $285,000 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, $70,000 from the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, $70,000 from Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, $70,000 from the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, and $50,000 from USask. ●
Colorado potato beetle. Photo: Pixabay
Ploughed fields treated with herbicides in spring
