AgroPages-New eco-friendly treatment stops rust on crops-Agricultural news

AMOÉBA, producer of a biological biocide, still in the testing phase, capable of eliminating bacterial risk in water and human wounds, and a biocontrol product for plant protection, announces an efficacy of more than 85% of its amoeba lysate Willaertia magna C2c Maky in planta against rust. Rust is a group of diseases that are particularly damaging to field crops (soybeans, wheat, etc.).

Amoéba thus broadens its spectrum of action in biocontrol application by demonstrating an in planta efficacy of more than 85% against bean rust used as a rust model. The tests were carried out by an independent expert company, according to a standard protocol. Rust is caused by the fungus Uromyces fabae, a pathogen very different from the other germs (downy mildew of grapevine and late blight of potato) on which the lysed amoeba has already demonstrated its action in planta.

To date, there is no biocontrol product in the world for the treatment of soybean rust or cereal rusts. The field crop market is by far the most important fungicide market. For information, the fungicide market for cereals in Europe is estimated at $2 billion dollars and $1 billion for the treatment of soybean rust alone in Brazil. This new demonstration of efficacy against one of the most fought diseases in the world confirms the strategic dimension of biocontrol in the development of the amoeba application portfolio.

"These new results show us that the product has a broad spectrum of action, but the extent of it has yet to be defined. Using our amoeba lysed in field crops could considerably expand our range of treatments. The challenge for us is now to make the most of these advances as quickly as possible with external partners," says Fabrice PLASSON, Chairman and CEO of Amoéba.