Biological control in the wake of precision agriculture

Some time ago, when rural producers and technicians linked to agribusiness met to exchange information and experiences regarding pest management in the main Brazilian agricultural regions, the only strategy adopted was chemical control. Almost no importance was given to applied biological control, and little was said about the practical use of beneficial agents in agriculture. For many influencers, this subject was restricted to theoretical references, generally debated in academic environments during sessions at scientific symposiums and congresses.

Today, the scenario has changed and the industry has mobilized to boost the distribution of biological inputs in several countries. At the end of October, an event held annually in Switzerland, the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM), brought together experts from 48 countries and around 900 people who develop biological solutions for the management of plant pests and diseases. According to the ABIM organizing committee, this was the largest audience in the last 10 years. Likewise, between the 15th and 17th of November, Biocontrol LATAM took place in Campinas/SP, an event that attracted a very large audience interested in the evolution of the Latin American biological market.

At both conferences, in addition to the technical and scientific approach, professionals linked to the sector presented their experiences on the practical use of macrobiological (predators and microwasps) and microbiological (bacteria, fungi and viruses), confirming the global trend of acceptance and interest from farmers through the adoption of sustainable technologies and low socio-environmental impact.

All this movement has led to the expectation of annual growth in the sector of around 15%, five times higher than the estimate for the increase in sales of agrochemicals in the country, subject to the appropriate proportions.

For the use of biological agents to be satisfactorily efficient in the field, it is essential that the trigger for application is activated at the correct time, that is, at the beginning of the infestation of the target pest. In the near future, the use of electronic devices, developed by information technology companies, associated with researchers and technicians linked to agribusiness, will make it possible to carry out several tasks simultaneously, quickly and assertively. Remote monitoring of the arrival of the pest to the crop, as well as its development and population growth through smart traps, is a path that is already being designed and should reach the market very soon.

Combined with this cutting-edge technology, the application of predators and microwasps with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) will boost the distribution of these natural enemies in large areas of agricultural production, expanding the absorption potential that was previously restricted to small areas, mainly due to the traditional manual release method. In the case of microbiologicals, especially fungi, the use of humidity sensors should indicate the right time to recommend and spray these biologicals, as they are extremely dependent on the humidity of the environment and the microclimate to sporulate and attack the target.

It is worth mentioning that at this moment, all these new cyber technologies are in the adaptation and improvement phase to operate in the agricultural environment, which is still little known by most of its developers. However, this does not affect the potential for future success, as long as all risks and challenges are properly measured and not neglected. Gaining productivity from successful pest management is the result of a series of activities that must be structured and executed in an integrated manner. The 4.0 revolution is definitely coming to the countryside and biological control is finding fertile ground so that, in the wake of precision agriculture, it can occupy its due space in the country's large arable areas.