Bioinsecticide with high amounts of Cry, Vip3 launched in Brazil

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

Canadian company Lallemand, in partnership with Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation), has already launched the Crystal bioinsecticide for this 2020-2021 harvest. 

It is a biological product based on the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis that produces high amounts of spores and crystals of the proteins Cry and Vip3.

These proteins are very efficient in controlling caterpillars, which positions the product as an important technology in managing the caterpillar (Spodoptera frugiperda). This is an important pest that attacks several crops in addition to cotton, soy, sorghum, vegetables, legumes and fruits.

According to the manufacturers, this product is the result of a decade of research. The bioinsecticide has a liquid formulation and is easy to handle and apply. Its crystals and spores, when ingested by the caterpillar, cause the intestines to rupture killing it.

Researcher Fernando Hercos Valicente, from Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, from Sete Lagoas-MG, is responsible for the Embrapa technology present in this product. Valicente explains that Crystal, being a biological product, "is an important tool in Integrated Pest Management (MIP), since it does not cause any damage to the applicator, the environment or the natural enemies of the caterpillars."

“This bioinsecticide is a biological product based on the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and produces spores and crystals containing the proteins Cry and Vip3, which are toxic to insects. In addition, Crystal is an important tool for Integrated Pest Management and supports the management of caterpillar resistance to chemical insecticides. It has a liquid formulation, easy to handle and apply. Its crystals and spores, when ingested by the caterpillar, cause an infection, rupture the intestine and cause the death of the insect,” the researcher emphasized.

In surveys conducted by Embrapa and Lallemand, Crystal achieved an efficiency of around 95 to 100%, in controlling caterpillars in crops. Valicente, however, recommended that the product can be applied according to the appearance of the caterpillars and, in the case of corn, “Crystal should be sprayed at the very beginning because it is more efficient in small caterpillars. As the caterpillars grow, the rate of mortality decreases.”

Embrapa's Executive Director of Innovation and Technology, Adriana Regina Martin, stressed that one of the goals of the company is to seek to work together with other institutions to develop technologies that can be placed on the market for the benefit of society. “We generate knowledge and transform it into innovation. As we can see it is a 13-year job. So, research is synonymous with a big investment. And we need to invest in this long-term work,” he said.

Lallemand Brasil's Strategic Marketing Manager, Santo Bonganhi Neto, thanked the listeners and participants. “We are broadcasting to the entire national territory and several countries connected with us. Among them, Mexico, the United States, Argentina, Paraguay,” he said. Lallemand Global President, Frederic Chagnon also attended the launch, directly from Canada.

“Our goal today is to share cutting-edge knowledge, science and technology, for Brazilian agribusiness and for a better world. It is an honor to have participated actively together with Lallemand and Embrapa in the development of this innovative new product for agriculture,” Bonganhi said.

Registered on the map for the control of Spodoptera frugiperda, Crystal also controls Spodoptera eridania and the false meditating caterpillar, Chrysodeixis includens.

AgroPages new issue 2020 Biologicals Special available for free download.