New trends of soil management in Korea from the perspective of biorationals

Soil management is always one of the most important subjects for farmers. Since sustainable agriculture has risen as a core issue in agriculture industry, integrated soil management becomes more essential to produce healthier and higher-yielding crops. Here are main trends of soil management in Korea especially from the perspective of biorationals. 

Soil virus prevention

One of the most devastating plant virus diseases in Korea is Thrips-transmitted Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). With the difficulties of controlling thrips originated from chemical resistance, TSWV is appearing commonly in pepper and tomato cultivation areas. In addition, damages from soil-transmitted viruses such as CGMMV and PMMoV are also increasing. According to the analysis result by National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, RDA in Korea, the incidence of PMMoV-infected peppers almost doubled from 14.6% to 27.9% between 2015 and 2016. It means that the soil virus infections should be considered when making a plan against virus diseases as well as aerial-part virus infections. Soil fumigation and soil incorporation application of biological granule type product to control soil viruses (Vi-vaccine) are widely recommended and the relevant market sectors are increasing. 

New approach to control thrips from soil

The thrip life cycle has the prepupal and pupal stage staying at soil. Considering this life-cycle, new approach to control thrips by soil application has been established. The key solution for this concept is Beauveria. It is not easy to control adult thirps because they hide well and live within flower. Fast and short life-cycle and population growth are the main reasons which make it hard to prevent thrip damages. Products for soil incorporation and irrigation application have been commercialized and getting popularity in the market. This approach using Beauveria at the pupal stage of thrips is not always perfect to sweep thirps from the field. When combined with chemical or biological spray to control adult stage thrips, it usually works well. At least, it seems true that most farmers are satisfied at the efficacy of soil-applied Beauveria and increasing demand proves this fact. 

Photo souce from: A. E.Whitfield, D. E. Ullman, and T L. German. 2005.

TOSPOVIRUS-THRIPS INTERACTIONS. Annu. Rev. Phytopathol. 2005. 43:459–89

Soil salinization and use of biorational

According to statistics released by Korea Rural Development Administration in 2019, more than 55% of green-houses in Korea are suffering from soil salinization damages and it is increasing year by year. Intensive and successive cultivation style especially in green-houses inevitably accumulated salinized soil. Organic soil amendments, citric acids and microbial extract products such as Mesona are options selected in the market to confront soil salinization issue. Owing to government education and studies from institutes, many famers started to recognize soil salinization and related market has been increasing.

Soil moisture management

Due to unexpected climate change, long droughts or heavy rains often occur. Especially, crops in open field are more susceptible to these problems than protected crops. This is why the market of soil water retainer or regulator such as Smart Water based on biodegradable components gets bigger every year. Some chemical products can also be applied. However, soil contamination is more sensitive and important point when selecting products among candidates. The unpredicted weather condition is making farmers more organized and better prepared for stable crop yields. This is accelerating the growth of biorational soil water retainer or regulators.

Positive awareness toward microbial product

For a long time, microbial was normally recognized just as solutions for PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) effect among farmers. This is changing with the introduction of new technology-based microbial products within biopesticide sector. Ralstonia and Fusarium are usual fungal pathogens easily found in soil of cultivated area. While the chemical solutions are not enough, the microbial based products to control Ralstonia and Fusarium are generating new awareness of how effective microbial products are.

Bio-rational seems to become positioned more firmly in biopesticide sector as well as PGPR sector. With the introduction of innovative products and new concept to solve field problems, market is starting to accept more biorationals instead of chemical products and this trend will get much stronger in coming years.

If you are interested to share and promote biological solutions and innovations at Asia market, pleace join the 3rd Biopesticides, Biostimulants and Novel Fertilizers Asia Summit (BioEx 2022) and contact:

Yutian Lu

yutian.lu@agropages.com

+86 13157309883