Canada to approve two biopesticides

The Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has proposed to grant full registration for the sale and use of Bacillus subtilis GB03 Technical Fungicide and the associated end-use products, Kodiak Flowable Fungicide and Kodiak Concentrate Fungicide, containing the technical grade active ingredient Bacillus subtilis strain GB03, for use as seed treatments to suppress seed and root diseases caused by Fusarium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani on canola, mustard (oilseed and condiment), rapeseed, and legume vegetables including soybeans.

Bacillus subtilis strain GB03 is a bacterium that is used as a microbial pest-control agent to suppress damping-off and root rot on canola, rapeseed and mustard (oilseed and condiment); and suppress seedling blight and root rot on legume vegetables including soybeans. Bacillus subtilis is a soil bacterium that is distributed globally, and commonly recovered from water, soil, air and decomposing plant residues. Strain GB03 of B. subtilis was originally isolated from healthy foliage of Douglas fir in Australia.

Bacillus subtilis strain GB03 is a root colonizer that directly competes with potential root pathogens for nutrients and space at the surface of roots and by producing antifungal agents such as iturins. Bacillus subtilis strain GB03 also reduces disease by inducing the plant’s natural defense mechanisms, a process called induced systemic resistance.

Meanwhile, the agency is granting full registration for Natamycin TGAI and Zivion M (trade name for Natamycin L) containing the technical grade active ingredient natamycin, to suppress dry bubble disease in mushroom production. Natamycin is a substance naturally produced by the soil bacterium Streptomyces natalensis that inactivates germinating fungal spores.

The PMRA has opened the public comments until July 12, 2014.