First biopesticide with Cordyceps javanica fungus registered against Bemisia tabaci fly in Brazil

Canadian company Lallemand has attained registration for its bioinsecticide, LALGUARD JAVA WP, in Brazil, which is predicted to be first sold in the first half of 2023.

The new product is recommended for use on any agricultural crop infected with the biological target, Bemisia tabaci race B.

The toxicological classification of the biopesticide is ″Category 5 – Product Unlikely to Cause Acute Harm.″

Regarding its classification in terms of potential for environmental hazards, LALGUARD JAVA WP was classified as ″Class 4 – Little Hazardous to the Environment.″

Entomopathogenic fungi are among the most important natural enemies of whiteflies, and penetrate directly inside the insect without the need for ingestion.

The new technology, developed in partnership with the Brazilian Research and Development Company (Embrapa), reduce the use of agrochemicals.

Embrapa researcher Dr. Eliane Quintela highlighted the importance of the company’s partnership with the Canadian multinational.

Eliane Quintela, Embrapa researcher

″Seven years ago, we started a partnership with Lallemand and developed the Cordyceps javanica fungus to control whitefly. In all crops, during drier periods, the population can increase considerably, causing significant crop damage,″ she said.

″The partnership with Lallemand is very important for Embrapa, because our research results are transformed into a product that reach farmers,″ she added.

According to the agronomic manager of Lallemand, Cleiton Oliveira, the great differential of the product, Lalguard Java, is its greater tolerance to heat and low humidity.

Cleiton Oliveira, the agronomic manager of Lallemand

″We conducted several field trials in different regions where we were able to find positioning recommendations, to ensure that we achieved the best level of product effectiveness. We noticed that Lalguard Java has a higher tolerance to high temperatures,″ he said.

″We also confirmed that it thrives under conditions of lower relative humidity, and this brings a very positive result in terms of application safety, especially under such adverse conditions,″ he added.

For Lallemand's product development manager, Kelly Pazolini, the partnership with Embrapa was vital for the good results.

Kelly Pazolini, Lallemand's product development manager

″The development was carried out in partnership with the group’s researcher, Eliane Quintela, from Embrapa Arroz e Feijão. Over seven years, many people have participated in today’s achievements. The product stands considerably, especially due to its efficiency in handling all stages of the whitefly, from nymphs to adults.″

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)