AgBiTech launches bioinsecticide Surtivo Soja against Helicoverpa armigera

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

 

Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) granted registration to AgBiTech Brasil's biological insecticide Surtivo Soja, for the control of caterpillars Helicoverpa armigera and Chrysodeixis includens. According to the maker, Surtivo Soja is the first pre-mixture of baculovirus for the biological control of caterpillars. 

 

According to the global development vice president of AgBiTech, entomologist Paula Marçon, the company invested a lot in the 150-plus large-scale experiments, which were held in the states of Bahia, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul. According to her, several recognized innovators and researchers participated in the tests.  

 

“In Bahia, where the pressure of Chrysodeixis includens on conventional soybeans has been significant, just one application of Surtivo Soja brought a superior control compared to that obtained by the conventional program, where multiple applications of conventional pesticides were done,” she added. 

 

Paula said the new product provided “excellent protection to green beans against damage as a result of this plague, which is known for its aggressiveness”. “One of the notable characteristics is the long period of control, which is more than 40 days,” added the expert. 

 

In this scenario, the general-director of AgBiTech for Latin America, Adriano Vilas Boas, assured that the new product will be provided for use and sales during the next summer, along with three bioinsecticides of the company registered in the country.