Unprecedented program launched in Brazil to biological seed treatment

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

Koppert launched an innovative program in Brazil for the treatment of industrial seeds composed of biological fungicides and nematicides. 

Called BioTSI Koppert, the technology has presented results with a frequency of response in 85% of the treated areas.

BioTSI Kopppert is composed of Trianum DS (Trichoderma harzianum, Cepa T22) and Summer (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, UMAF6614 – University of Malaga). According to the manufacturer, it is a biological industrial seed treatment (TSI) with a broad spectrum of action that protects crops from attacks by fungi and root nematodes.

The program was used in more than 400 demonstration fields in the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 harvests, showing positive results in 85% of the areas, with lower incidence and severity of root diseases being observed, in addition to an increase in root volume, aerial part and productivity.

“With the consolidated results, we have already sold approximately R$8 million of this treatment in the 2020-2021 season,” explained Koppert's Center-South Sales Manager, Rodrigo Rodrigues.

According to Marcelino Borges de Brito, the coordinator of agronomic development at Koppert, with the BioTSI treatments, producers stopped losing plants from diseases caused by soil pathogens.

“In addition to presenting a lower incidence and severity of diseases caused by fungi and root nematodes, the plants that benefited from the management showed more vigor and health due to the increase in root volume. In this harvest, we had an increase of 30% in the root system,” Brito said.

According to André Kagueyama Takano, the soybean grower in the city of Paranavaí (Paraná state), who used BioTSI on his property, the results were very satisfactory. “Soy is growing very well, without diseases that hinder its development. With these results, I intend to increase the area treated in the next harvest,” he said.