As a farmer, you understand the constant battle against nature’s unpredictable challenges. Whether it’s evolving pests or resistant weeds, you’ve probably seen them in your fields. Staying ahead of the curve requires innovative solutions that protect your crops. This is where biological products come into play, offering a promising new approach to address agronomic issues while ensuring productivity and profitability.
One of the most pressing issues in agriculture is the development of resistance to traditional control methods. Biologicals offer a complementary approach, introducing new modes of action to combat pests and diseases while mitigating resistance. These solutions help plants to optimize yield potential and promote sustainability by reducing reliance on synthetic inputs.
Understanding biologicals
Biologicals, as the name suggests, harness the power of nature to enhance crop protection and productivity. Unlike synthetic solutions, biologicals are derived from naturally occurring materials or synthesized to mimic natural compounds. They encompass a range of products, including biocontrols, biostimulants, and pheromones, each serving specific agronomic purposes.
- Biocontrols are solutions that can control pests like insects or fungi, offering additional modes of action and complementing integrated pest management solutions.
- Biostimulants are solutions that can:
- mitigate crop stresses from lack of water and extreme temperatures,
- enhance nutrient efficiency by helping crops make better use of available nutrients,
- support plant functions that result in improved growth, development, quality, and yield
- Pheromones are solutions that offer further options to manage targeted pests and are used to disrupt the mating behavior of certain crop-destructive insects.
Biologicals offered by Corteva Agriscience
Corteva Agriscience, NuTech Seed’s parent company, is at the forefront of biological innovation. “Corteva’s R&D efforts with regard to biologicals will likely be key to developing a complete future agronomic management approach for our customers,” comments Scott N. Davis, Warehouse Management/Supply Lead, NuTech Seed. “We are at the forefront of a different approach to confronting agronomic challenges. It really feels to me like biologicals are in the same place that Bt corn was 30 years ago.”
Biologicals will offer a diverse range of solutions tailored to the needs of farmers. Corteva’s biological lineup includes:
- Utrisha® N nutrient efficiency optimizer: A biostimulant that naturally captures nitrogen from the air, enhancing plant growth and allowing plants to maximize yield potential.
- Sosdia™ Stress abiotic stress mitigator: A biostimulant designed to help crops overcome environmental stressors such as drought and extreme temperatures, ensuring resilience and productivity.
- Hearken® biological insecticide: A biocontrol product targeting pests like corn earworm and African cotton bollworm, providing effective pest management while minimizing environmental impact.
- Bexfond® biological fungicide: Another biocontrol product safeguarding crops against soil-borne pathogens and ensuring optimal yield and quality.
These biological solutions undergo rigorous testing to ensure efficacy and environmental safety, empowering farmers to make informed decisions about their crop protection strategies.
Embracing the future of farming
The adoption of biologicals represents a significant step forward in sustainable agriculture. By harnessing the power of nature, farmers can optimize productivity, mitigate environmental impact, and meet the demands of an evolving agricultural landscape. However, it’s essential to approach biologicals as part of an integrated pest management strategy, complementing existing practices to achieve optimal results.
Biological solutions offer farmers a promising path toward sustainable and profitable agriculture. By embracing innovation and the power of nature, you can navigate the challenges of farming while preserving the land for future generations.