Azatol, a bio-input that allows control of rock, borer in coffee crops

To avoid production losses in agricultural crops, different types of bio-inputs are being developed that have the advantage of being sustainable, as their components are natural. In addition, they cost less compared to conventional chemical products.

Luis Ballesteros Umaña and Anahy Rodríguez Ovalle, both young researchers from the biological engineering program of the National University at the La Paz headquarters in Cesar, have developed a bio-input based on eucalyptus and neem flower, which has the potential to attack coffee rust and borer pests.

″Mainly, the pests that affect coffee the most and cause the greatest economic losses are the rock and drill bit. With our product, we want to combat these diseases at less cost," said Ballesteros Umaña, co-creator of the product.

The product developed was name ″Azatol,″ and it is a stable emulsion based on the fungicidal and insecticidal properties of the organic compounds that constitute it.

"Our product contains natural ingredients; it is made up of eucalyptus essential oil and neem flower water extracts. These were chosen as they are widely available in our department. In addition these components are already scientifically proven to have antifungal properties and antimicrobials," Ballesteros Umaña said.

One of the differentiating factors of Azatol is the use of the neem flower, a plant that is widely available in the department but is usually relegated. " In the municipality of La Paz, Cesar, the tree grows everywhere. However, people are unaware of its potential, and it is not considered to be useful," he added.

In addition, the product does not use synthetic chemistry that pollutes the environment. On the contrary, the young researchers used natural products through microencapsulation techniques and new sustainable technologies.

The raw material was obtained through the distillation method for the essential oil of eucalyptus. Regarding the neem flower extract, the plant was macerated in water and the compounds dissolved in water were obtained. An ultrasound process was used to release the residues that remained in the plant material.

Azatol has the potential to achieve lower costs. "Currently, conventional products have a value of between US$300,000 and $320,000. Since our product is made with raw materials found in the country, it can be manufactured in our territory, reducing costs," Ballesteros Umaña said.

Bio-input would also be a pest control alternative for organic and specialty coffees, qualifying them to attain green seals for marketing.

To continue the potential of this development, the National University signed an agreement with the National Federation of Coffee Growers aimed at conducting field trials in the experimental farm located in the municipality of Pueblo Bello in the department of Cesar.

The project is headed by Professor Diego Camilo Durán García from the Unal Sede de La Paz. The work was carried out under the framework of the Seedbed for Research in Bioprospecting Plant Species and Bioinputs. It was also carried out under the Research Groups "Biodiversity for Society" and "Zajuna jwa samu."

The 4th Biopesticides, Biostimulants and Novel Fertilizers International Summit (BioEx 2023) will take place on 9th & 10th March in Hangzhou, China. We are pleased to invite speakers from the commercial, research, extension, government, regulatory and farming sectors to submit your proposals and abstracts for oral presentations.