Ihara: Gemstar biopesticide control of Helicoverpa amigera can overcome 80%‏

The control of caterpillar Helicoverpa armigera with the recently launched Gemstar can overcome the mark of 80%, affirms Michel Tomazela, product manager at Ihara. He talked about the unveiling of the product of Certis USA, which would be commercialized and distributed in Brazil by his company, in partnership with Biocontrole.

"The higher volume of information as well as the effectiveness of this product are published abroad, and the results are stunning. When it is used according to the recommendations, superior controls are observed at a rate of 80%. This level, for biological products, is extremely high. We also should keep in mind that is an important tool of pest management, which enables a more effective resistance management and preservation of other technologies of control", explains Tomazela.

Questioned about the differentials of Gemstar on controlling the caterpillar, the manager says that the big innovation "lies on wisdom of gathering high technology and quality to the solution present in nature. This union allowed a selection of a very specific and effective virus to control the caterpillar of the group Heliothinae, in which Helicoverpa armigera is part of".

"The mode of action of Gemstar is unique among the registered products to control this pest. Other big advantage is the low impact and environmental risk, once this is found in nature, not leaving any waste in the final product. Other peculiarity is the fact that the virus multiplies in the host (caterpillar) and continues to infect new caterpillar which contact with it. Therefore, we can say that it offers a longer protection. And finally, the product does not affect other insects preserving the natural enemies on the crop", he adds.

According to Tomazela, when the product is applied on the plant, a structure of resistance of the virus called "occluded body" gets stuck over the leaf, infecting the caterpillar it ingests part of the treated plant. "After 3 or 4 days, the caterpillar stops feeding itself, with the death occurring 7 to 10 days after the infection. The dead caterpillars become a source of more viruses, generating secondary infections. We can associate this to a very strong flu. Besides it, the caterpillars do not become weaker, but sensitive to other forms of control".

The expectation of Ihara for the product in Brazil is that will bring to the market a new alternative way of management, which brings considerable competitive advantages to the Brazilian farmer. "The consequence of this will be an expressive of the product in the market, which may become one of the stars of our portfolio in the next 3 years. We have a thriving agriculture in Brazil, and surely Gemstar will be part of this process and possibly we will see larges areas of soybeans, kidney beans, cotton, sorghum, tomatoes, and other crops using this technology. Farmers can expect a safe, effective, and sustainable technology to contribute with the management of earworm and others of the same group", concludes.