Agrivalle launches biological disease, pest management systems for bean cultivation

Date:04-30-2021

By Leonardo Gottems, Reporter for AgroPages

This month, Agrivalle launched biological alternatives for the management of diseases and pests for bean crops. According to phytopathologist Murillo Lobo, a researcher at Embrapa, soil health can be crucial, and benefits can be gained through the promotion of root disease biocontrol.

“When we talk about soil health, we are dealing with quality. We are more used to talking about plant health, but not so much about the soil. For that reason, we need to bring this issue into focus and understand it as an ecosystem that sustains agricultural, animal and human activities over many years,” Murillo said.

“Recently, bean cultures have been successful due to the growing adoption of new technologies, such as the mechanization of harvest and irrigation, adjustments to soil fertility, and the launch of new cultivars. However, Brazilian beans have been facing several persistent problems, and some of these may intensify as plantations become very crowded or are managed incorrectly,” he added

“Beans host major diseases caused by viruses, fungi, bacteria and nematodes, and all of them have their preferences in environmental terms. Mild or low temperatures and high soil humidity favor dry root rot caused mainly by Fusarium solani. In the south-central part of the country, this problem is one of the main issues affecting the culture and is being magnified by greater climatic risks, causing considerable losses,” Murillo explained.

For Murillo, it is possible to improve soil health and, therefore, avoid such problems. “From the fourth year onwards, no-tillage is distant and differs from others. We have more dead organic matter in the soil, straw on the surface, and changes to micro and macro porosity and water conservation. These factors influence both the pathogens that attack crops and their natural enemies, which we need to conserve and support,” he further added.

In terms of soil cover and cover plants, he affirmed that it is possible to create an “agroecosystem” that helps preserve beneficial microorganisms. “The population of pathogens can be reduced through the partial disinfestation of the soil depending on the choice of cover plants. We can also attain greater benefits when this practice is maintained over many years,” he further said.

“One option is the application of industrial biological control agents, as well as the application of bioagents in the planting furrow and the treatment of seeds or during application via bar, depending on the target and other related issues, such as compatibility with chemical inputs. It is, therefore, possible to improve protection of the roots,” he stressed.

“It is also important to monitor the evolution of planting systems that tend to intensify even more. Therefore, if we think together about the health of the soil and propose constant improvements to its physical, chemical and biological characteristics, we can improve our production systems further,” Murillo said in conclusion.