Koppert and Orion partnership boosts in-furrow biological crop protection

Koppert announced that it entered into a strategic partnership with Orion. This collaboration marks the start of an exciting initiative aimed at enhancing the in-furrow application of our biological crop protection solutions.

In-furrow application involves placing biological crop protection products directly into the seed furrow during planting or sowing, a method predominantly used for row crops that offers several key advantages:

• Targeted protection: applying solutions directly in the seed row enables precise control of soil-borne diseases and pests, safeguarding plants as they germinate.

  
  

• Enhanced efficacy: this localized application improves nutrient uptake, reduces the risk of nutrient leaching, and strengthens plant growth from the start.

Orion: providing reliable in-furrow application solutions for decades

Orion is a company with over 50 years of expertise in in-furrow application solutions. Founded by Ricardo Rodrigues da Cunha, the company originated from his pioneering efforts to combat soil pests on his father’s farm in 1967. Since then, Ricardo has continuously innovated and refined the technology, growing the business from serving family and friends to providing cutting-edge solutions for growers around the world. Today, Orion is among the leading providers of equipment designed to enhance efficiency, reliability, and practicality in both operations and biological outcomes in the field.

Effective and easy: proven results in Europe

Over the past two years, Koppert and Orion have worked closely with growers across Europe to conduct extensive field trials on row crops. These trials, designed to make application even easier and to further enhance effectiveness, integrated the Orion machine with our innovative biological solutions, including beneficial nematodes like Capirel and our biofungicide Trianum.

Felipe Capobianco, Global Technical Market Development Lead at Koppert states: ‘The results have been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating an even greater effectiveness of our products. By optimizing this technology, we are making it easier for growers to apply biological crop protection solutions, to achieve better results, enhancing crop protection and plant health. Our commitment to supporting growers remains steadfast, as we continue to work toward making their tasks simpler and more efficient, while delivering exceptional performance in the field’.

Sergio Barbosa, International Operations Manager at Orion, states: "This partnership with Koppert in Europe was the result of outstanding work between the Orion team, the Koppert team and our growers. We successfully adapted our equipment to European machinery and visited growers in France, the Netherlands, and Italy to gain deeper insights and expertise to better serve growers in this important region. The key to this successful implementation has been the direct contact with growers and the trust built from the very beginning!"

Rodrigo Alandia, Marketing and New Business Director at Orion, adds: "Through our partnership with Koppert, we are offering equipment for the in-furrow application of Koppert’s biological crop protection solutions in row crops. This collaboration is introducing a practice that was previously unfamiliar in Europe, and the field results have already been very positive. Together, we will continue to make progress in this important region and market, further positioning Orion as a leading and effective technology for in-furrow applications worldwide."

Row crop innovations for the European market

Koppert has been conducting extensive trials in row crops across Europe, building on its years of experience and successful collaboration with Orion in Brazil, where Koppert has achieved outstanding results. Koppert is now transferring this knowledge and proven partnership to the European market, offering trusted solutions like Cerall, Trianum, and beneficial nematodes such as Capirel and Casea to help growers control diseases and pests effectively.

Koppert is confident that the partnership with Orion will bring significant benefits to growers across Europe, promoting more sustainable agriculture and driving successful outcomes for their operations.