New baculovirus biopesticide controls 100% of Spodoptera frugiperda

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

Embrapa and the Swiss company Andermatt Biocontrol have developed a biological product capable of controlling 100% of the fall armyworm population (Spodoptera frugiperda).

Spodovir is a multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV)-based bioinsecticide and will be the first global launch of a biological product using the technology of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Company.

Researcher from Embrapa, Fernando Hercos Valicente

“The great advantage of this biological product, also called biopesticide, is that it does not affect the environment, does not intoxicate applicators, does not kill the natural enemies of pests (beneficial insects), does not pollute rivers and springs and does not leave residues in the food. to be sold in supermarkets, contributing to better sustainability and better quality of the product made available to consumers,” emphasized a researcher from Embrapa, Fernando Hercos Valicente, a developer and responsible for the technology at the Company.

According to him, "The placement of Spodovir in the field is essential to cause the desired mortality and is dependent on the region and the beginning of the pest's attack. Spodovir must be ingested orally by insects to take effect."

“Thus, the spraying must respect this factor (ingestion by the insect) and the operation must be well done. Baculoviruses have no contact action. Applications can be made to UBV (ultra-low volume) provided the proper equipment is used. Tests will be started for spraying with drones on soy and cotton,” the researcher announced.

Andermatt Biocontrol Brasil CEO, Markus Ritter

Spodovir is the result of a partnership in 2015 between Embrapa and the Andermatt Group. “After several tests carried out in our laboratories, we verified that the product had excellent efficacy, which encouraged the company to close the partnership with Embrapa,” Andermatt Biocontrol Brasil CEO, Markus Ritter said.

Agronomist Viviane Dutra, responsible for the management of Andermatt Brasil, explained that the Spodovir production process takes place entirely in Canada, in one of Andermatt's units specializing in the production and formulation of baculoviruses. “Our virus production and multiplication process is very judicious. The team has great expertise with this type of microorganism, which gives us a high-quality product,” she highlighted.

Andermatt Brasil Agronomist, Viviane Dutra

About the formulation of the biological product, Dutra reported that it has high solubility, does not form sediments and is easy to mix. “In all the tests carried out, Spodovir had performance equal to or superior to the products already used to control the pest. We believe that it will be accepted by farmers, since it is highly effective, and the Brazilian farmer is already used to using biological products,” the manager believed.