Below are the most-viewed reports regarding biopesticides, novel fertilizers and markets that were published on AgroPages in August 2021.

SAORI? - Seed treatment for foliar diseases control in soybean: a revolutionary approach

Plant Health Care (PHC) is launching in 2021 its first product with PREtec technology: Saori?, a peptide applied as seed treatment, recommended for the management of foliar diseases. Saori? is the only registered product for seed treatment in Brazil and recommended for the control of soybean rust.

The Saori? brand has the meaning of “sacred soil” among others and was selected because it connects with the product’s core value proposition: protecting the plant from germination to maturity against the most important soybean diseases in Brazil.

During 4 crop seasons, Saori? was tested in Brazil in seed treatment for ASR control in the main soybean producing regions several parameters have been evaluated, such as germination and vigor, effect on the hidden disease (not yet visible during the vegetative stage and before any fungicide application), leaf retention and overall control of ASR throughout the soybean cycle, with final evaluation of yield.

Point Americas - Innovating sustainable and organic crop protection in Latin America

Point Americas has been selling agrochemicals and plant nutrition and biological products in Latin America for over 35 years. In addition to a growing portfolio of biological and organic products, as detailed in the report, it also has over 400 registrations within the organization.

The company has achieved sustained growth by continuously delivering innovative and high-quality products and solutions to a wide range of crop producers across the continent. It is now a recognized industry leader, in part, through conducting rigorous product market studies across different countries in the region, with their results providing rigorous data required to verify product effectiveness in a range of environmental conditions and, subsequently, meeting country-specific regulatory requirements.

Rizobacter: Innovation Leader in the Inoculant Industry

Rizobacter is a company strongly focusing on biologicals, as well as a leader in the inoculants market, a key input for the development of legumes, as it can maximize biological nitrogen fixation. This natural process, which is achieved when the specific bacteria act on the roots of plants infecting and forming nodules, is the second most important process that occurs on Earth after photosynthesis.

In this way, legumes can capture, from the air, between 40% and 80% of the nitrogen required for their entire production cycle. This process offers sustainability to farming systems, since it avoids exclusive dependence on the nitrogen reserves of the soil or chemical fertilizers while generating an excellent return on investment.

AgSmart Corporation to introduce futuristic nanotechnology products to Philippines agriculture

AgSmart Corporation Philippines has partnered in a sole and exclusive agreement with a leading Taiwanese nanotechnology company and is going to introduce the latest cutting-edge futuristic nanotechnology products to Filipino farmers, including the Banana and Pineapple Plantations.

Nanotechnology, having applications in many fields, is poised to dramatically impact agriculture by improving efficiency of products resulting in higher productivity and quality of crop production. It will consequently improve farmers’ income and augment food supply at the same time lowering the strain to the environment during crop production.

Nanotechnology is the science where particle size is reduced to nanoscale size whereby the particles acquire properties empowering them with unprecedented power and precision unleashing the untapped potential of the active elements to provide tremendous benefits. Simply imagined, the surface area of a pack of nanoscale particles would be enormous compared to the same mass of a single large-scale object.

What are the benefits of brown algae polyphenols for plants?

Seaweed extract is one of the algae products from marine biological resources. It refers to seaweed extract powder/flakes, alginate oligosaccharide, seaweed extract liquid. They have many functions when applied to agricultural plants, including anti-oxidation and coordination of rapid distribution in plants, improve plant nutrient absorption, etc. Since the implementation of the green development requirements of agriculture and the implementation of the food security strategy, seaweed extract fertilizer series products have been increasingly favored by fertilizer companies and growers.

As the leading manufacturer and exporter of seaweed extracts in China, Shandong Jiejing Group Corporation uses technology of cell wall cold breakage and countercurrent extraction to extract brown algae polyphenols from fresh sargassum. The production line adopts the world's advanced automated whole-line manufacturing equipment. As soon as the product is launched, it becomes a popular product. It got high praise from contractors, fertilizer formulators and biostimulant companies.

Beijing Multigrass’ extended release Spinosad tablet granted patent in China

Beijing Multigrass Formulation Co., Ltd, after long-term research and trials, has solved the obstacle by developing the extended release Spinosad tablet which controls mosquito larva in water. This technology has been granted a Chinese invention patent (patent no. ZL202010880795.5). The Spinosad DT has bi-function as quick dissolving and extended release, thus being both quick-acting and long-acting against mosquito larva in the water. Its rapid release layer allows for quick dissolution, with a clear solution spreading active ingredient 22.5 mg Spinosad, which quickly paralyzes mosquito larva to death. The extended release layer will continuously release 90 mg Spinosad, which kills mosquito larva in water, block eggs hatching and last for more than 70 days.

Synergistic effects of biostimulant peptides and pesticide formulations

Plant biostimulant is an organic substance that is beneficial to plants’ physiological function, nutrient absorption, abiotic stress resistance and crop quality improvement. Biostimulants include humic acids, algae extracts, peptides, saccharides, etc., and peptides are an important group of biostimulants. The Peptide is a compound formed by α-amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, and an intermediate product of protein hydrolysis. Peptides have rich functions in plants and often participate in plant growth and development or stress resistance processes as a first messenger. Peptides play an important role in signaling in plant growth and development, increasing crop yield, enhancing immunity, increasing fertilizer utilization, and improving quality. TBIO Crop Science started the research of peptides in 2012, with the focus on the synergistic effect of different types of peptides with pesticides.

Plants fighting other plants: What is allelopathy all about?

What is allelopathy all about? And, how can we use this natural process for weed management and crop protection?

Allelopathy refers to the effects of one plant on another one, through the release of chemical compounds or biochemicals, which are known as allelochemicals. Different parts of a plant (leaves, flowers, roots, etc.) can deliver these compounds to the surrounding environment by leaching, root exudation, volatilization, residue or organic matter decomposition, and other processes in both natural and agricultural systems.

Sumitomo Chemical launches bionematicide for seed treatment in Brazil

Sumitomo Chemical announced the launch in Brazil of Aveo, a new biological solution for seed treatment to combat nematodes.

According to the manufacturer, the Aveo bionematicide (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-4838), guarantees a “series of benefits for the plant, high efficacy in the control of nematodes and safety.” The bacteria colonize plant roots, creating a bio-barrier that prevents nematode penetration of the roots.

Queen-of-the-night bacteria becomes bioproduct to promote drought tolerance in plants

Bacteria found in the rhizosphere of queen of the night (Cereus jamacaru), an important cactus of the Caatinga region which is locally known as mandacaru, will help Brazilian corn crops withstand droughts. The rhizobacteria Bacillus aryabhattai is the basis of new bioinput that increases corn plant resilience and capacity of adaptation to water stress. The product, which received the brand name Auras, is capable of promoting the growth of the same crop in drought conditions.