″There are more than 50 lines of research on bioinputs at INTA Argentina″ – Viviana Barrera

Argentina is one of the most active Latin American countries in seeking solutions in the area of biological inputs, said agronomist Viviana Barrera, a member of the Institute of Agricultural Microbiology and Zoology of the Argentine INTA Castelar (National Institute of Agricultural Technology).

Part of its role is to research biocontrollers, biofertilizers and growth promoters for controlling fungal diseases that affect various crops.

In addition, Barrera collaborates with other researchers from various INTA Experimental Stations throughout Argentina.

″We have been working with biologicals for over 30 years. They were developed in the 1990s, but the isolation and selection of microorganisms were fundamental for progressing research,″ she said, noting that related research had only been shown to process these biological control agents into formulations that can achieve the desired effects from crops.

″There are already more than 50 lines of biological investigations in progress, with a great diversity of biological tools combining fungi, bacteria and viruses,″ Barrera said, stressing that the objective of combining these biotechnologies is to replicate the conditions found in the soil as closely as possible.

She then explained that the most time-consuming task is testing and evaluating biotechnologies in the field and in farms, as they require time, hard work and the appropriate infrastructure.

With the rise in demand for less toxic and more sustainable food production, the interest and investment of companies began to grow.

″In five years, these biosolutions will be seen in the field, including in the search for a biological herbicide,″ Barrera said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)