UPL launches bioinsecticide Zebu for pastures in Brazil

UPL exclusively announced to AgroPages the launch of the bioinsecticide, Zebu, which contains the fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae.

According to the manufacturer, this biological insecticide acts directly against insects.

Among the targets indicated for the use of Zebu are the root froghopper (Mahanarva fimbriolata), pasture froghopper (Zulia entreriana) and grassland froghopper (Deois flavopicta).

The strain used in the formulation was developed by a research institute and has shown "excellent results in pastures, standing out as a modern, effective and safe solution," UPL said.

Zebu strengthens the portfolio of the Natural Plant Protection (NPP), the UPL business unit exclusively focused on biosolutions. 

"The biosolutions segment involves agricultural inputs developed with active ingredients of natural origin, ranging from algae extracts to microorganisms," said Giuliano Scalabrin, Director of NPP Brazil.

According to Scalabrin, ″surveys by important specialized consultancies indicate that the incidence of froghoppers has increased in various crops in recent years.″

″With the El Niño phenomenon, which creates favorable climate conditions for the spread of the pest, its presence is expected to worsen in 2024. Therefore, the introduction of Zebu on livestock farms will help prevent productivity loss in terms of both agriculture and animal,″ he said.

UPL is a ″global leader in biosolutions, and its extensive NPP portfolio covers various applications, including increasing crop resistance to diseases, pests and environmental conditions, supporting plant nutrition, and improving soil health while reducing waste and negative environmental impacts,″ he added.

In addition to Zebu, the Indian multinational also launched the bioinsecticide, Tackler, which contains the fungus, Beauveria bassiana, he further added.

These two products will ″expand our presence in the important bioinsecticide segment,″ Scalabrin further said.

Rogério Castro, CEO of UPL Brazil, stressed that UPL is a "leader in insecticides."

"The launches are part of our goal to promote the use of natural solutions, which, when administered in conjunction with traditional pesticides, enhance agricultural management while contributing to the sustainability of food production," he said.

The world is seeking more sustainability in food production, and inputs with these benefits should be used more often, especially due to climate change, which creates challenging situations, such as El Niño, Scalabrin affirmed.

Bio-stimulation technology has become essential to preventing crop losses while not compromising food supply.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)