Marrone Bio Innovations reports positive results in international bio trials
The drivers behind the rapid adoption of biologicals are globally recognized and include evidence of increased yields and crop quality when biologicals are integrated into programs. Biologicals are also a key driver behind the reduction or elimination of synthetic pesticide residues on crops for export markets, delay of pest and plant pathogen resistance to chemicals, safety for workers and pollinators, and less environmental pollution.
South Africa
Grandevo and Venerate Bioinsecticides have generated positive trial results in South African citrus - a key agricultural market for the country. MBI products reduced citrus rust mite populations more than 96% and offered fruit a comparable level of protection as commonly used chemical products. Both Grandevo and Venerate provided effective control of citrus fruit damage caused by false codling moth, the company claims.
South Africa is Africa’s largest exporter of agricultural products and exports more than 1.6 million metric tons of citrus annually, with most fruit being shipped to the EU and Asia where limits on chemical residues are strictly enforced. South African growers are increasing their use of biologicals to meet the demands for residue-free food from local and international markets, and in response to the EU’s ban on controversial neonicotinoid insecticides.
Latin America
Field trials with MBI products have demonstrated efficacy in addressing serious, key crop problems in Latin America. Majestene Bionematicide, for example, reduced the most important pest nematodes of bananas (burrowing nematodes) as well as or better than the organophosphate, chlorpyrifos.
The burrowing nematode destroys the roots of bananas and plantains so that the plants are starved of water, nutrients, and lack support, causing 30-60% yield loss. The use of Majestene to control nematodes would be a major step forward in reducing exposure risks to pesticide applicators as well.
In Mexico, both Grandevo and Venerate bioinsecticides have demonstrated effective and reliable control of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a serious pest that transmits HLB disease. The Asian citrus psyllid has devastated Florida groves and has been recently found in California. Field trial data supporting the use of these two MBI-developed bioinsecticides to control Asian citrus psyllid is now being submitted to support label amendments, adding ACP control to existing Grandevo and Venerate registrations and labels in Mexico.
Asia
Regalia is advancing in banana trials in the Philippines, showing good activity against the most serious disease this crop faces globally, black sigatoka. In previous trials in Costa Rica, Regalia combined with the standard chemical program increased banana girth by 27% compared to the standard chemical program alone. Convential sprays for this disease are 15-20% of the cost of bananas ($1000/hectare, 25-40 sprays per season).
In Vietnamese insecticide trials, Grandevo performed under intense pest pressure, reducing pest populations for control of red mites, thrips and mealybugs on strawberry, pumpkin, custard apple, orange and dragon fruit.
For more information:
Pam Marrone
Marrone Bio Innovations
Tel: +1 530 750 2800
Info@marronebio.com
MBII@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us