AgBiTech launches biological tool for managing Spodoptera spp in Bt soybeans

The search for efficient, low-cost and environmentally selective alternatives for pest control drives the market for biological products in soybeans. The insecticides segment is the fastest growing in the area, with a 28% increase in sales in the 2019-20 cycle, according to Spark Inteligencia Estratégica. Leader in the Brazilian baculovirus market for oilseed caterpillars, AgBiTech informs that it will expand its portfolio with the arrival of the Lepigen brand, indicated for the control of spodoptera spp. in “Bt” or Intact soybeans.

According to the Australian-American company, the new product will be available for commercialization and application in the 2020-21 harvest.

According to the marketing director of AgBiTech Brasil, agronomist Murilo Moreira, “Bt” or Intacta soybeans account for the largest share of sales of chemical pesticides in the Brazilian market, in the order of US$ 245 million, and the adherence to the seeds of gender, by the producer, reached 74% of the soybean area in the last harvest, compared to 65% in the 2018-19 cycle.

The agronomist points out that “Bt” or Intacta plants are not effective against the action of spodoptera spp. At the same time, he highlights, a significant increase has been observed in the frequency of resistance in caterpillar populations Spodoptera frugiperda to insecticides belonging to the main chemical groups. “This scenario leads to the need to promote rotation between products with different modes of action, chemical and biological, with the aim of reducing the selection of resistant populations”, adds Moreira.

According to him, results obtained at the field level showed that by integrating Lepigen® into crop management strategies, spodoptera spp., In situations of high and medium caterpillar pressure, there were gains in control effectiveness and also a reduction, of around 40%, in treatment costs, compared to the producer's so-called standard management.

Still according to Moreira, in crops where there is low infestation or initial outbreaks of spodoptera spp., Lepigen can be applied alone, that is, without the need for integrated management with chemical insecticides. “Controlling the first outbreaks of the caterpillar is essential, as we now know that more than ninety percent of the damage caused to soybeans by spodoptera spp. They are caused by medium and large caterpillars, from the fourth ‘instar’ onwards”, he explains.

According to the agronomist, from the beginning of the infection of spodoptera spp. by Lepigen's baculovirus, it takes three to seven days until the plague dies.

Moreira also highlights that the research that preceded the launch of the product in Brazil included the participation of renowned academics and consultancies, such as Ceres, Fundação Chapadão, Fundação MS, Fundação MT, Gapes and Unesp de Ilha Solteira (SP).