Biological Crop Protection: Get Back To Basics

Biological-based products have come to market in force in recent years. To achieve success, growers need to understand how these materials fit in overall production programs and their proper application.

We asked leading manufacturers to weigh in on the basics of how these products work. Here’s what a few had to say:

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“While biologicals have evolved over the years with greater shelf life, stability, and formulations, which contribute to consistent efficacy, it is still essential to note that many of these bio-based products are living organisms and are more sensitive to environmental extremes compared to conventional chemistries. This makes storage and timely applications an important consideration. In addition, application timing must be considered for optimal performance as most biologicals are best applied as preventatives.”

Mike Allan | Vice-President North America | Certis USA 


“One of the most important practices in crop protection is following the recommended label use instructions. It is critical that anyone using a crop protection product reads the label and uses the recommended rate and timing for safety and efficacy.

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“Another important tip is that most biologicals work best as a preventive treatment vs. curative treatment. Our product, Jet-Ag, is an exception. The product can treat growing crops to kill or control the growth of disease organisms on plants. It also can be used to treat soil prior to planting and prior to inoculation with beneficial microorganisms. Excellent scouting practices are critical in a successful biological crop management program so disease and insects can be detected and treated early.

“The third tip we would recommend is the importance of rotating products and using multiple modes of active ingredients. This reduces the concern for resistance. Many PCAs (pest control advisors) and growers are seeing the unfortunate ramifications of product overuse in the industry. Both conventional and biological products that have been heavily used are becoming less effective at treating problematic pests. Adding another mode of action from biological products can help a grower manage resistance and increase their return on investment.”

Kevin Hammill | Chief Commercial Officer | Marrone Bio Innovations


For more, continue reading at GrowingProduce.com.

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