Argentina's Forbio seeks bio-inputs that withstand extreme conditions

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

Forbio Argentina, that develops, produces and sells biological products for use in agriculture, from inoculants, organisms for biological pest control and seed additives, is now looking to offer bio-inputs that withstand extreme conditions, microbiologist Dean Fernandez, head of Research and Development (R&D) in the company, has said.

“Each company has its formulations, its culture broths, its strains and its research teams to search, among the soil bacteria, that can be used as bio-inputs. Although INTA (National Agricultural Technology Institute) recommends strains for use in Argentina, each company has its know-how in terms of the environment, and Forbio is no exception,” he explained.

For the production of products, Forbio seeks “strains that grow quickly, that withstand extreme soil conditions, that withstand salinity, pH and temperature. The strain is the key, which is then taken from the formulation to the product,” Fernandez emphasized.

“Today the producer has a whole world of biological solutions to discover. We have inoculants in the market for a wide variety of intensive and extensive cultures. For soybeans, we use compost from a culture of the bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum, which provides high biological nitrogen fixation. For wheat or corn, we prepare inoculants with the bacteria Azospirillum sp. which strengthens the growth of plant roots, improving the absorption of water and nutrients,” he highlighted.

The microbiologist pointed out that Forbio also has a line of growth promoters and biological fungicides that are capable of controlling fusariosis (Fusarium sp.), leaf rust (Alternaria sp.), and acid rot (Aspergillus spp.), Among other pathogens.

“We also added biostimulants with fungi of the Trichoderma harzianum genus that act as a competitive hyperparasite, which produces antifungal metabolites and hydrolytic enzymes,” added Forbio's head of Research and Development (R&D) in Argentina.

Many microorganisms, he said, have the function of both biocontrol and fertilization. “These products can control insects. Biocontrol is carried out with strains of Bacillus thuringiensis that affect the larvae of some Lepidoptera. When the plague develops in an adult, it is very difficult for the bacteria to act. Other strains affect the eggs of these larvae. The larvae eat the bacillus crystal, making it impossible to suck the leaves. Another fungus with action against insects is the Beauveria bassiana, which involves the larvae that feed on the broth and is used in crops in Mendoza.”

“These Forbio products can be combined with fungicides, as they do not affect the inoculant's bacteria, as we recommend metalaxyl, thiram and carbendazim. In the case of insecticides, compatibility tests must be carried out, because these products contain solvents,” said Fernandez in conclusion.