Natural herbicide found in Argentina could control weeds

Inbioar is a biotechnological project, which through phytochemistry and ecology seeks to develop products from plant extracts for crop protection. What is the novelty of this? They are, to put it in some way, weeds that kill weeds, and these natural herbicides have the particularity of being within the parameters that the industry wants, that is, an action profile of 2kg/ha or less.

 

Gustavo Sosa, project leader for Inbioar, was interviewed on the radio program Nuestra Tierra de Radio Colonia and explained how it began: "It's really something we see every day when we go to the field, and we used knowledge that already existed. When one sees weeds on the shoulder, he asks himself: Why does that grow and others do not? What secret do you have?" he asked.

 

"After that, and for two years, we dedicated ourselves to collecting more than 100 samples every month from different parts of the country, and we were able to determine that under stressful conditions, these weeds release a chemical that inhibits the growth of other plants, that is, produces a natural herbicide."

 

"Over time, we found plants that produce herbicides that are in tune with what the industry wants, which is a chemical that works at 2 kg/ha or less. After that, we created two prototypes that were herbicides, and a fungicide that works at 2.5 kg/ha. They are almost the same values of action that handle commercial products,” noted Sosa.

 

In addition, Sosa discussed a specific case: "Ammi Visnaga is widely distributed in the country and produces two compounds, called visnagin and khellin, which we patented with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and which are natural herbicides that are being used by companies in Japan."

 

Asked if the market for organic products is the objective of the project, Sosa said, "Originally the idea was that, because the organic market does not have the competition that the extensive production of grains do. In addition, we did not think we would find something that works at two kilos per hectare. Now that we have it, we can not limit ourselves to organic products".

 

Sosa also indicated that these natural products could be applied without problems in peri-urban areas, and without complaints. "What's the point of the chemical being in the ground for months or weeks, if the weeds are gone?  Once the brush died, the chemist does not help you," he said

 

"The famous cola drink is not toxic, but I do not know what would happen if you applied it to the field at 5,000lt/ha. Or with common salt, what would happen if we ate a tablespoon of it? Natural products have very high thresholds, but as with everything, you have to see in what quantities there is no toxicity. For example, many people prepare Ammi Visnaga tea to dissolve kidney stones, but I do not see anyone drinking a glyphosate tea," Sosa said.

 

It should be noted that Inbioar was recently selected by Acceleradora del Litoral, a consortium made up of the National University of the Litoral, the Santa Fe Stock Exchange and the Litoral Centro Technology Park, to promote the development of the project, and for which it was awarded a US$ 250,000 credit investment.