Brazilian researchers develop bionematicide based on Ricinus communis

A bionematicidal fertilizer made from the Ricinus communis plant was announced by the company, Agreenvir Soluções Biotecnológicas, in partnership with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).

The nematicidal fertilizer is recommended for forage plants and has already been tested on an experimental field, where it reduced contamination by worms by 60% compared to a non-fertilized pasture, and by 71.84% in comparison to a pasture where a urea-based chemical fertilizer was used.

Embrapa goat and sheep researcher Roberto Pompeu, who is part of the project team, explained that verminosis is one of the worst problems facing goat and sheep producers, and there are regions where some 90% of animals are infected by these parasites.

Normally, verminosis in herds is controlled by intensively using synthetic vermifuge for long periods.

This type of treatment has several disadvantages, such as the high cost of labor for examining and administering drugs; the development of worm resistance to dewormers; in addition to risks of contaminating the meat and milk of animals, as well as the environment, by the residue of these medications.

The use of fertilizers on pastures is still a rare practice on properties where goats and sheep are raised, but it has many advantages, especially when it comes to organic fertilizers, which help maintain soil moisture and restore degraded areas.

″The fertilizer is important because it improves the soil and increases the production of green biomass, expanding the support capacity of animals (stocking rate) without harming the area. This benefits the herd because well-fed animals are more resistant to worms,″ said Hévila Salles, another researcher at Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos, who leads the project.

According to Embrapa Meio-Norte (PI) researcher Izabella Cabral, a partner in the project, during the process of developing the nematicidal fertilizer, several residues were tested.

″We experiment with other materials, because we are looking for components that can be found in large quantities. Therefore, we use the agro-industrial waste from pineapple, cashew, grapes and papaya, as well as Ricinus communis cake,″ Salles added.

According to the researcher, developing a product that, in addition to reducing verminosis, also serves as a fertilizer, allows producers to use it on other crops.

After an initial mapping, conducting biological analyzes and assessing the composition of macro and micronutrients, the team developed a test formulation for the organic nematicidal fertilizer, with castor bean cake as the main ingredient, said Márjory Souza (General Director of Agreenvir).

″During experimental analyses carried out in both a greenhouse and in the field, several positive effects of the test fertilizer on the components of the cultivated forage biomass were observed, such as greater plant height, increased number of leaves and branches, a high ratio between live and dead material, and increased total biomass. In addition to the agronomic effects, the use of the test fertilizer showed nematicidal effects,″ she said.

During the current research phase, the team is seeking partnerships with companies in the fertilizer production sector to improve the efficiency of the product utilizing granulometry tests, for example, as well as the production of the compound on a larger scale, to test it on properties with animals in the pasture.

The ultimate goal is to make it available at points of sale for agricultural products, facilitating access for breeders.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)