Top biologicals news in January 2021

Below are the most-viewed news regarding biostimulant/biopesticide products, companies and research that were released on AgroPages in January 2021.

Hybrids: The future of crop protection – the case of STK Regev as the first hybrid fungicide

As a leader in biopesticides innovation, STK (formerly Stockton) is pioneering a new generation of ‘hybrid’ products that combine the powers of biological agents and synthetic chemistries, and which may present a new era in pest control. 

Regev™ EC, by STK, is the first potent hybrid fungicide in the market. Its uniqueness lies in its high efficacy combined with a very low probability for the development of resistance or cross-resistance in plant pathogens. The hybrid patented formulation contains difenoconazole (200 g/lit) and essential tea tree oil extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia plants (400 g/lit). This breakthrough formulation provides multiple modes of action against plant pathogens and plant defence mechanisms including SAR & ISR for improved efficacy in plant disease control and a reduced synthetic chemical load compared to other mixtures based on two traditional chemicals.

BASF's innovative biological fungicide Serifel now available for use on potatoes in Canada

BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions recently received Health Canada PMRA label expansion for its Serifel product. Serifel (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MBI 600 strain) is an innovative biological fungicide with multiple modes of action. New for the 2021 growing season, Serifel is available for use on a range of fruiting, leafy, root and cucurbit vegetables, including potatoes.

Serifel was previously registered for use in targeting powdery mildew and botrytis in grapes. For potatoes, Serifel will suppress early blight (Alternaria solani) in potatoes, and will partially suppress soilborne rhizoctonia stem canker or black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani) in-furrow.

Crop Enhancement’s non-toxic CropCoat hides crops from insects

While pest insects can have a devastating effect on crops, pesticides can likewise cause a great deal of damage to the environment. That's where CropCoat comes in, as it's designed not to kill harmful insects, but to "hide" plants from them instead.

Created by California-based startup Crop Enhancement, CropCoat consists of a proprietary blend of non-toxic ingredients including an undisclosed botanical extract. It gets mixed with water then sprayed onto crops, using conventional agricultural equipment. Within 12 to 24 hours, the water evaporates and the CropCoat hardens into a biodegradable film that coats most of each plant's stems and leaves.

UPL's OHM Biostimulant receives registration in Canada

UPL AgroSolutions Canada announces that its first biosolutions product in Canada, OHM Biostimulant, has received registration from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

OHM is a highly advanced and highly concentrated liquid form of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract that optimizes nutrient use efficiency for enhanced plant growth and development. Increased plant vigour and yield potential has been documented in a wide variety of crops, including cereals, pulses, canola, corn and horticulture crops.

CITYMAX: Ready to serve Chinese Biostimulant market with 55 overseas markets experience

Chinese biostimulant manufacturer CITYMAX recently announced commercial running of the phase 2 of its annual 50,000-ton novel water-soluble fertilizer project. CITYMAX has been an experienced export-oriented enterprise, exporting humic acids, seaweeds and amino acids to 55 countries across the globe. Now, CITYMAX has formally kicked off its launch in China's market.

It has been eight years since the establishment of the CITYMAX brand oversea. Over the years CITYMAX has focused on the biostimulant business and continued to strengthen technical research and product quality to serve the global market. CITYMAX's products exported to international market have been certified by OMRI, ECOCERT and BV. In addition to exportation handled directly by the company, CITYMAX set up overseas branches in Turkey and Spain to develop business in manners of direct sale and agency sale. By 2020, CITYMAX’s products have been exported to 55 countries and regions around the world, whilst brand agencies have been delegated in more than 20 countries.

New formulation: beneficial nematodes in capsules

The biotech companies e-nema GmbH and Katz Biotech AG have started a cooperation to develop a new, innovative product for biological pest control: Beneficial nematodes, formulated in capsules, offer long lasting efficacy against sciarid gnats and are ideal for preventative treatments.

Beneficial Nematodes are a long-time established solution for pest control and are distributed by both partners to commercial growers as well as to users in the home and garden sector. The present product against fungus gnats is based on a clay formulation. This powder is dissolved in water and applied as a curative treatment to substrate or soil. The Nematodes are immediately active and kill the larvae of fungus gnats within a few days.

First bio-inducing inoculant launched in Brazilian market

Rizobacter Brasil announced the launch of the premium inoculant Signum in Brazil, after registration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA).

According to the manufacturer, this is a new bio-induction technology that is “unique in the Brazilian market” and aims to “incorporate high value-added products into the company's portfolio”. Signum will be available for sale in the next Brazilian soybean harvest, in 2021-2022. "The benefits of Signum will revolutionize seed inoculation in the farm market.

ICL completes acquisition of Fertiláqua

ICL (NYSE & TASE: ICL), a leading global specialty minerals and specialty chemicals company, announced Thursday it completed the acquisition of Fertiláqua, one of Brazil's leading specialty plant nutrition companies, for $122 million, which includes the assumption of approximately $40 million of net debt.  ICL expects to leverage Fertiláqua's strong market presence and distribution capabilities to increase the sales of its organic fertilizers, controlled-released fertilizers and other specialty plant nutrition products to the Brazilian market, one of the world's fastest growing agriculture markets.