Variety of sugarcane produces acid that acts as natural pesticide, says research

A study by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) in partnership with Brazilian and international institutions showed that a variety of sugarcane in the Saccharum complex produces chlorogenic acid when exposed to the attack of the sugarcane borer. The substance, considered a natural biopesticide, acts against this aggressive moth, which is the main crop pest in Brazil.

 

The sugarcane variety was developed by the Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira. This natural biopesticide also acts against pests from other crops such as corn, coffee and tomatoes, affecting the development of pests and neutralizing the impact on crops.

 

In the study, the substance was also added to the diet of the moth still in the caterpillar stage. The result saw a faster development in its pupal phase, but with a deformation of the wings in the moth phase.

 

The researchers guarantee that the chlorogenic acid can be considered a natural biopesticide with the function of developing sugarcane varieties that are more resistant to the sugarcane borer pest. The variety is among the 128 accesses of the Saccharum complex maintained at the Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros Active Germplasm Bank.