Alberta research and U.S. commercialization suggest soil-dwelling nematodes could become a practical option for Prairie pest control.
Tag Archives biological inputs
Using nematodes to control crop pests
Alberta research and U.S. commercialization suggest soil-dwelling nematodes could become a practical option for Prairie pest control
Plant-based plant protection
Crop chem firm Gowan Canada has picked up registration for its first biological product in the Canadian horticulture market. The product, called EcoSwing, is approved for control of mummy berry in high-bush blueberries and powdery mildew in cucurbits such as pumpkins, squash and cucumber. It’s also approved for suppression of apple scab in apples and […] Read more
Biologicals aren’t the silver bullet
The products can be complements, not replacements, for other inputs
Glacier FarmMedia — Biological products have been touted as replacements for synthetic chemistry and fertilizer in crop production, but that may be a false promise. According to one pitch, if farmers add biological X to the soil, they can cut nitrogen rates by 15 pounds per acre. According to another, biological Y can control a […] Read more
Nitrogen-fixing biologicals fall short at field level
Challenges remain for products to achieve their hoped-for potential
Glacier FarmMedia — Dave Franzen is a straight shooter. If he doesn’t know the answer, the North Dakota State University soil scientist will admit it; if he does, he’ll tell you. As an example, in the summer of 2022 researchers from land grant universities across the north-central U.S. studied commercially available, biological nitrogen-fixing products to […] Read more
Ways to improve the microbiome
Scientists consider how we could better support relationships between plants, soil and microbes
Glacier FarmMedia — The hyperbole around biologicals and what they can do for crop production sounds like 10 million crickets in a suburban backyard. There’s a lot of noise around biologicals, and for good reason. Soil contains millions of bacteria, fungi and other microbes that perform vital functions for plants. As a result, global agri-science […] Read more
Farmer interest growing in plant biostimulants
Companies hope to fill an existing 'knowledge gap' about the purpose of these products
Glacier FarmMedia — At 2 p.m. on July 17, Ryan Bonnett and many other people at the Ag In Motion farm show near Langham were seeking a place in the shade. The temperature was around 30 C and the word “hot” came up in most conversations at the show. The afternoon temperature was also on […] Read more
Nutrien buys into biocontrol
How did the seller — oil company Suncor — wind up in crop pest control?
Glacier FarmMedia — Photodynamic inactivation is not a phrase used in everyday conversation, but it could become an effective control of insect and fungal pests in agriculture. “Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) of micro-organisms using natural photosensitizers has shown itself to be a powerful tool to combat bacteria and fungi (in crops),” says a 2019 paper published […] Read more
Understanding biological crop inputs
Strip trials may be the best way to determine how and when these emerging products provide value to growers
It’s a question Marc Beland has been asked more times than he can remember: what are biologicals? “That’s a very good question. I get that quite often,” Beland says with a laugh. Beland is the director of market development for Premier Tech, which offers a variety of biological inputs to the agriculture market. He may […] Read more
Survey shows farmers ready for biologicals
Companies like Corteva Agriscience are helping producers find a fit for natural products
Research, demonstration projects and greater investment from crop protection companies have readied Canadian farmers to learn more about biological inputs and their potential to improve crop production without harming the environment, according to a survey by Corteva Agriscience. “The survey is a pretty solid indicator that the market is ready for biologicals,” says Kirsten Ratzlaff, […] Read more
Can biological crop inputs for cereals and oilseeds work?
Foliar-applied nitrogen-fixing biologicals for grains and oilseeds are a great concept. Here, four Prairie farmers share their experiences
There aren’t too many western Canadian farmers who would consider growing a pulse crop without first applying rhizobium bacteria to the seed to help the plant roots fix nitrogen in the soil. The benefits of that technology are well proven and accepted. But what about a foliar application of bacteria to the leaves and stems […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
