Embrapa launches bionematicide with higher effectiveness against Meloidogyne incognita

 

The department of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Company (Embrapa) announced this week the launch of Embrapa-Carbom Brasil technology. It is a nematotoxic plant extract formulated formulated by Embrapa with a biofertilizer.

 

The technology presents a nematicide activity superior to 97% against the phytonematode Meloidogyne incognita, also known as the southern root-knot nematode. This phytopathogen provokes alterations in the plant’s roots, hurting significantly the production and causing annual losses estimated at millions of dollars.

 

The most affected crops are cotton, coffee, kidney beans, corn and sugarcane, among others. The technology was tested in trials conducted in vegetation houses, and it was seen that it reduced the number of Meloidogyne incognita eggs by 98%. It was also validated in the field on two different areas of soybean crops, located in the states of Paraná and Goiás, where the population density of Meloidogyne incognita and Pratylenchus brachyurus declined.

 

“Among the methods applied for the control of these phytoparasites, the synthetic nematicides have been used massively, posing considerable risk to human and animal health, and toward the natural environment. The strategy of Embrapa-Carmbom Brasil technology is fundamental to the association of high specificity plant extract for the control of phytonematodes and biofertilizers, resulting in a green technology. The technology helps reduce the chemical residue present in food, according to the consumer demand for safer foods,” explained Thales Lima Rocha, researcher at Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology.

 

The Embrapa-Carbom technology has proved to be thermostable (after an exposition to 50º C), not cytotoxic or phytotoxic, and shows low action against non-target organisms at the concentration that controls phytonematodes. Thus, the product can replace highly toxic chemical synthetic nematicides.

 

According to Embrapa, the bionematicide also continuously increases productivity, as well as reduces soil contamination, and prevents depletion of water sources and groundwater, caused by the use of highly toxic conventional agrochemicals. It contributes to the maintenance of a rhizosphere balance, biodiversity, conservation of soil fertility and to the production of safer food.

 

“This way, the Embrapa-Carbom Brasil technology meets sustainability by providing cleaner and safer technology for human and animal health, and for the environment. It is inserted strategically into the bioeconomy, adding value to products of biodiversity through the exploitation of composed bioactive,” concluded Rocha.