Switzerland: Residue issues drive increasing demand for biological IPM controls

Though we often think of bacteria and viruses as causing nothing but harm, they are as varied in their composition and benefits as any other type of organism. While some may cause us to become ill, others are necessary for a healthy-functioning body – it all depends on the variety. That's also the case when it comes to the effects they have on plants. While some may be detrimental to growers, others can actually help make for stronger plants and better crop yields.

“We see the demand for biologicals growing quite quickly,” said Andermatt Biocontrol's CEO Daniel Zingg. Andermatt Biocontrol is a Swiss company with a wide range of biologically-based pest control products. Some of those products include

viruses and bacteria used to control pests and harmful organisms that threaten the health of plants. For example, Andermatt offers a baculovirus that can be applied to a field that's plagued by the African Cotton Bollworm Helicoverpa armigera, a widespread pest with a high damage potential in many glasshouse and field crops. The virus infects the pest larvae, and as Zingg described it, it's like the pest insects get the flu and die. The benefit of such a biologically-based approach is that there are no chemical residues, and with increasingly tighter regulations on chemicals, that's becoming more of a boon to growers.

One of Andermatt's products that demonstrates the benefits in crop production is RhizoVital 42, pointed out Zingg. The bacterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, can be applied to open-field or greenhouse crops to enhance root growth and strengthens the plant against harmful pathogens.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens marked by green fluorescent protein on surface of young roots

“It colonizes the plant's roots, and by doing that, it helps prevent disease,” explained Zingg. Because it takes up a large amount of surface space on roots, there is less room for pathogens to gain a foothold. Once attached to the roots, it forms a mutually beneficial relationship with the plant where hormones are released that stimulate growth. The good miscibility with other crop protection products and fertilizers facilitates combination with almost all application processes. Aside from being a natural approach, Zingg noted that they've figured out ways to prevent resistance to their bio-control measures by changing strains after some years of use.

Resistance is something which is always a worry when traditional pest-management chemicals are used. It's for those reasons, he added, that more and more growers who rely on IPM solutions are looking to their bio-control products.

“The IPM sector is looking for solutions to prevent resistance, and especially for residue issues,” said Zingg. “That's why the demand is growing.”

For more information:
Andermatt Biocontrol
Daniel Zingg
Stahlermatten 6
CH-6146 Grossdietwil
Switzerland
T +41 (0)62 917 50 05
F +41 (0)62 917 50 06
[email protected]
www.biocontrol.ch