OWNER / DIRECTOR Cultivar Soluções para Agricultura Ltda Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
Brasil has a long tradition in biological control. The first reports of studies date from 1920, and in 1973, the use of Baculovirus Anticarsia (AgMNPV) was adopted by soybean growers, gradually increasing to 2 million hectares treated by 2000. Subsequent Asian Soybean Rust surges resulted in overreliance on chemical fungicides which destroyed important natural fungal entomopathogens and led to serious outbreaks of soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens. This resulted in increased dependance on chemical insecticides, causing farmers to gradually abandon the use of what had become known as the first and most successful Baculovirus program, worldwide. In the early 2000’s a new biocontrol industry started to emerge, mostly fungi and bacteria products which are easier to produce than baculoviruses. The portfolio was narrow and formulation quality and production capacity were low. In 2013, Helicoverpa armigera was introduced, devastating row crops in the northeastern region of Brazil. After unsuccessfully spending more than 1 billion Reais in chemical insecticides, farmers started including baculovirus as one of the key tools in programs to control this serious pest. This was a second memorable example proving that baculoviruses can contribute to the implementation of more sustainable IPM programs. Much has been learned in this space in the last decade. And investments continue to be made in development of more efficacious baculovirus strains, better formulations, and more comprehensive training programs for crop consultants and growers. These advancements are consolidating various Baculovirus-based products as key tools in the Brazilian crop protection market.
