Embrapa develops biological technology against nematodes

Two new technological actives aimed to the agricultural pesticides market were announced by Brazil’s Embrapa. Those are natural extracts obtained from the residue of bio-fuels production and cellulose, and one of them fits as a raw material to make nematicides – especially for control of the genus Meloidogyne.

 

The technology, captured by the extraction of oil grain, also has a nematosthetic effect, that is, capable of stopping and reducing the infestation of nematodes. A researcher at Embrapa Agroenergia, Clenilson Rodrigues affirmed that the natural nematicide affects, and not the petrochemical, is different from products existing in the market today.

 

“We want to put a natural product in the field. The synthetic nematicides normally have a wide spectrum and affect the microbiota species that needs to develop. Therefore, we end up eliminating other organisms that could help crop development.” he explained.

 

He added that there is a possibility to do small modifications in the chemical structure of the active ingredient to potentiate the nematicide activity. “Seeking this alternative, procedures of isolation are being developed to get to the active ingredient, which will be employed as a precursor molecule for the inclusion of functional groups that will bring greater efficiency and specificity of the product, besides the necessary stability to be put in the field,” he explained.

 

Another technology that can be applied in the market for agrochemicals is Lignin kraft, generated by residues of the industry of paper and cellulose. With this material, researchers have encapsulated a composition for integrated plague management in a way that releases it slowly in the field.

 

According to Embrapa, the advantage of this technology in comparison to others available in the market is the abundant use of raw materials, residual, and therefore, a low cost. “It is a residue with a low market cost and has good properties for the micro-encapsulation and nano-encapsulation, for instance, the easiness of interaction of semi-chemical molecules,” affirmed Researcher Silvio Vaz Junior of Embrapa Agroenergia.

 

The state research company is now seeking partners for the next stage of development of the technology.