“Plant raisers at the Summit were surprised at the huge benefits of microbials”

The company visit to Koppert during the Plant Raiser Summit was a great success. “What stood out for me was that plant raisers were surprised at the huge benefits of our natural solutions,” says Roxina Soler, Koppert’s Manager Agronomical Development. Here, together with Product Manager Guido Roozemond, she explains that microbials are the best insurance for a strong plant because they can prevent and control key plant diseases and pests.

Fewer chemicals available

More and more plants raisers of fruit crops – just like growers – use natural solutions, according to Guido: “There are two reasons for that. The main reason is the decreasing availability of effective chemicals against pests and diseases. The second one is that growers are asking for this because they want pesticide-free young plants. Moreover, growers ask plant raisers to use biological solutions in the propagation phase, because they want to start with beneficials as fast as possible.”

Microbials are an insurance

Beneficials can be divided into different categories. ‘Macro solutions’ are beneficial insects – like Swirski mites – that have been used in pest control for decades. The ‘micro solutions’ or microbials are the newest players in biocontrol. “Microbials are a kind of insurance. The added value of a micro is not only controlling a pest or disease that is established, but also helping the plant to have enough energy to prevent infection and to keep on growing while ‘fighting’ it. Microbials are less visible than macro solutions, and it’s difficult to believe what you can’t see… but they are very effective,” Roxina and Guido explain.

Trianum-P protects against main soilborne diseases like Pythium

Which solutions do they advise plant raisers to start with? Roxina: “The absolute number one is Trianum-P , because the health of every plant starts with the roots. Trianum-P is a beneficial soil-dwelling fungus that can combat soilborne pathogens like Pythium and Fusarium. Most importantly, as already mentioned, it can help the plant minimise the infection by these soilborne pathogens. Besides that, it triggers the plant to protect itself. Trianum-P helps the plant to produce both its own ‘defensive compounds’ to defend itself as well as to produce plant-growth-related phytohormones for growth and foliage/fruit quality. You can see one of these mechanisms in our video showing three seeds attacked by Fusarium.”

Controlling thrips and whitefly with Mycotal

Thrips and whitefly are also key problems that plant raisers can tackle with a natural solution. Guido: “Mycotal works really well against whitefly. Recently we have discovered that Mycotal can also control thrips very effectively. In countries like Portugal and Italy, the product is already approved for controlling thrips, and in other countries we’re working on the official registration.” Roxina adds that Koppert can support this claim with solid data, from the laboratory all the way to the field trials that the company executes all over the world with certified research organisations.

Targeting caterpillars with Capsanem and Entonem

Another major threat that Koppert has a good solution for are caterpillars. “A couple of plaint raisers asked us about that. Capsanem and Entonem are nematodes that can do a very good job above ground in the foliage. Caterpillars are an incredibly easy target for them. You only need a few nematodes to reach the caterpillars, which then die in less than a week,” continues Roxina.

Compatible with most chemicals and other beneficials

The three solutions are compatible with many chemicals already in the tank mixtures, Guido and Roxina explain. “We have a lot of information on this. Sometimes you can’t mix them in the tank, but they can be sprayed separately providing you leave a few days in between each spraying. This solves most compatibility issues that they may have – not only with chemicals or disinfectants, but also with other biologicals. You can use the Koppert ‘Side Effects’ app to check that. The app can be found in the Apple and Google Play stores.”

Are you eager for more information regarding macro or micro solutions for your company? Please send an email to Guido Roozemond,groozemond@koppert.nl. He will be more than happy to share information and/or get you in contact with a local Koppert representative.