La tecnologia apre un nuovo fronte in un settore dominato da soluzioni straniere

San Paolo, agosto 2026 – Bioma, una delle principali realtà di riferimento negli input microbiologici per l’agricoltura brasiliana, annuncia al mercato la registrazione commerciale del primo fungicida 100% a base di metaboliti sviluppato nel Paese.

La registrazione inaugura una nuova frontiera dell’innovazione per l’industria brasiliana dei bioinput. Sebbene il Paese abbia compiuto progressi nello sviluppo di prodotti microbiologici formulati con funghi e batteri vivi, la categoria dei fungicidi basati esclusivamente su metaboliti isolati è dominata da soluzioni straniere. La tecnologia nazionale è stata registrata per la gestione dell’antracnosi, causata da Colletotrichum truncatum, e della macchia bersaglio, provocata da Corynespora cassiicola, due delle principali malattie della soia.

Il nuovo prodotto è il risultato di cinque anni di ricerca condotti all’interno di Cogny, il più grande ecosistema di bioinput al mondo. La concezione scientifica e tecnologica è stata guidata da Orygen, società di Ricerca & Sviluppo del gruppo, sotto il coordinamento del direttore della Ricerca Artur Soares. Bioma ha invece condotto la strategia di sviluppo, registrazione e immissione sul mercato della soluzione, prevista a partire dalle prossime settimane.

Un mercato da miliardi di dollari

I fungicidi hanno generato circa USD 6,5 miliardi in Brasile nel 2025, rappresentando il 32% dei USD 20,2 miliardi registrati dal mercato degli agrofarmaci. La categoria ha rappresentato inoltre 466.000 tonnellate, pari al 26% del volume complessivo di 1,79 milioni di tonnellate di prodotti applicati nelle colture brasiliane, secondo un’indagine di Kynetec Brasil diffusa dal Sindacato Nazionale dell’Industria dei Prodotti per la Difesa Vegetale.

Tra i prodotti biologici, i biofungicidi sono stati la categoria con la maggiore espansione in valore nel 2025. Il fatturato è aumentato del 41%, raggiungendo R$ 1,4 miliardi, mentre la superficie trattata ha raggiunto 26 milioni di ettari, con una crescita del 37% rispetto all’anno precedente, secondo CropData, la piattaforma di CropLife Brasil. La banca dati pubblica dell’organizzazione non distingue ancora i fungicidi formulati esclusivamente con metaboliti, un segmento che sta ora iniziando a raggiungere una scala commerciale nel Paese.

“La registrazione di Metabolic Protection rappresenta molto più dell’approvazione di un nuovo prodotto. Dimostra la capacità della scienza brasiliana di sviluppare tecnologie inedite e trasformarle in soluzioni ad alto impatto per gli agricoltori. È una pietra miliare per Bioma, Orygen e per l’intero ecosistema di innovazione di Cogny”, afferma Soares.

L’innovazione arriva sui campi in un contesto internazionale caratterizzato dalle tensioni geopolitiche, dalle oscillazioni valutarie e dalle incertezze nelle catene di approvvigionamento. Tra gennaio e maggio 2026, le importazioni brasiliane di agrofarmaci chimici hanno raggiunto USD 4,28 miliardi, secondo CropData. Il dato evidenzia la dipendenza dell’agricoltura nazionale dal mercato estero e l’importanza strategica delle tecnologie sviluppate e prodotte nel Paese.

Un blend di 40 metaboliti

La tecnologia di Bioma utilizza una metodologia proprietaria in grado di stimolare l’espressione di specifici geni dei microrganismi responsabili della produzione dei composti di interesse agronomico. Il processo produce un blend costituito da circa 40 metaboliti. Più di 20 presentano un’azione diretta contro i funghi, mentre altri 17 inducono i meccanismi naturali di difesa della pianta.

“La combinazione di diverse molecole e meccanismi d’azione risponde a una delle principali sfide della gestione fitosanitaria della soia, ovvero la graduale perdita di efficacia di parte dei fungicidi chimici a causa della resistenza sviluppata dai patogeni dopo applicazioni successive di prodotti con meccanismi simili”, afferma Soares.

Secondo il ricercatore, l’antracnosi e la macchia bersaglio sono tra le malattie fogliari più rilevanti della coltura e possono provocare perdite di produttività fino al 40% nelle cultivar suscettibili e in condizioni favorevoli alla diffusione dei funghi. L’inserimento di molecole di origine biologica nei programmi convenzionali amplia la diversità dei meccanismi utilizzati contro i patogeni e contribuisce a ridurre la pressione selettiva su di essi.

Cinque anni di ricerca

Nel corso dei cinque anni di ricerca, il biofungicida è stato valutato in più di 50 aree produttrici del Brasile, in differenti condizioni climatiche, sistemi di gestione e livelli di pressione delle malattie. Le prove hanno analizzato sia l’efficacia nel controllo dei patogeni sia l’integrazione della tecnologia nei programmi già utilizzati dagli agricoltori.

Lo sviluppo prosegue una traiettoria di innovazioni guidata da Bioma. Tra queste figura Bioma Phos, un solubilizzatore biologico del fosforo attualmente in fase di espansione verso il mercato europeo, e Hydratus, sviluppato a partire da un batterio della Caatinga per aumentare la tolleranza delle piante allo stress idrico.

Queste tecnologie sono nate dall’integrazione tra la ricerca scientifica di Embrapa e la capacità delle aziende dell’ecosistema di validare, portare su scala industriale, registrare e commercializzare nuove soluzioni. Il nuovo fungicida amplia questa strategia, passando dai prodotti formulati con microrganismi vivi al dominio delle molecole da essi prodotte.

“Avere accesso a una tecnologia sviluppata e prodotta in Brasile offre maggiore sicurezza degli approvvigionamenti, maggiore prevedibilità nella pianificazione della stagione agricola e maggiore libertà nella costruzione di strategie di gestione a lungo termine. Riducendo le vulnerabilità esterne e aumentando l’efficienza in campo, contribuiamo inoltre a rendere il prodotto agricolo brasiliano ancora più competitivo sia sul mercato nazionale sia su quello internazionale”, sottolinea Soares.

Chi è Bioma

Bioma sviluppa soluzioni tecnologiche nel campo degli inoculanti, dei fertilizzanti e dei biodefensivi, puntando all’equilibrio ormonale e nutrizionale delle piante insieme a un controllo efficace di parassiti e malattie, attraverso la formulazione di prodotti essenziali e di massima qualità che si traducono in una maggiore produttività delle colture. In collaborazione con istituti di ricerca e di istruzione, l’azienda dispone di uno dei portafogli di prodotti più completi e diversificati del mercato nazionale dei prodotti microbiologici.

Leonardo Gottems

FOZ DO IGUAÇU, Brazil — Brazilian crop protection company Nortox launched three products at its 4th Cooperative Meeting in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, comprising two proprietary insecticide premixes, Tempus and Typhoon, and the post-emergence herbicide Raker Top.

The launches were presented to representatives of 39 agricultural cooperatives from Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo, as Nortox expands its portfolio of products combining generic active ingredients with patented molecules.

“Nortox has been making its mark with exclusive premixes, and now we are entering a new era of generic mixtures with patented molecules,” said João Marcos Ferrari, Nortox’s commercial director. “The launch of these products was the highlight of the 4th Cooperative Meeting.”

Tempus combines chlorpyrifos and chlorantraniliprole in an insecticide designed to provide rapid knockdown together with longer-lasting control of caterpillars. According to Nortox, the combination is intended to extend protection against key lepidopteran pests across different crops.

The second insecticide, Typhoon, combines chlorantraniliprole and methomyl in an OD (oil dispersion) formulation. The product is positioned for the management of important corn pests, particularly the corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), combining immediate shock action with the activity of an anthranilic diamide.

The third launch, Raker Top, is a selective, systemic post-emergence herbicide for corn containing nicosulfuron and tolpyralate. The product is designed to control weeds in corn and incorporates two safeners intended to improve crop selectivity and reduce the risk of phytotoxicity under post-emergence applications.

The three launches reflect Nortox’s strategy of broadening its portfolio through differentiated combinations rather than relying exclusively on off-patent active ingredients. The company has increasingly emphasized research, product development and formulation technologies as part of its growth strategy through 2030.

The meeting also included discussions on new fungicide management programs, pasture solutions, herbicide technologies, plant nutrition and seeds. Nortox presented its strategic outlook and investment plans, while technical sessions brought together company specialists and cooperative representatives to discuss crop protection challenges and management practices.

External speakers included economist Igor Barreto of Itaú BBA, who assessed Brazil’s economic environment and prospects for agribusiness, and researcher Aroldo Marochi, who discussed crop disease challenges and fungicide management.

The event began with a presentation by Nortox President and CEO Romeu Stanguerlin on the company’s development, recent performance and growth targets through 2030. Ferrari subsequently outlined the evolution of the company’s portfolio and its investments in research, innovation, product development, plant nutrition and seeds.

The new products come as Brazilian growers face increasing pressure to improve pest and weed management while preserving the effectiveness of available modes of action. For cooperatives, the expansion of differentiated premixes provides additional tools for designing integrated crop protection programs across major production systems.

Leonardo Gottems

Rosario, Argentina — L’Argentina dispone di un ampio potenziale per accelerare l’adozione degli input biologici in agricoltura, ma la prossima fase di sviluppo del mercato dipenderà sempre più dalla generazione di conoscenze a livello locale, dalla validazione in campo e dalla fiducia degli agricoltori nelle prestazioni delle tecnologie, secondo Ignacio Moyano, vicepresidente dello Sviluppo del Business per l’America Latina di DunhamTrimmer.

Durante il panel “Biologici: una prospettiva globale”, svoltosi nell’ambito del Congresso Aapresid 2026, Moyano ha sottolineato che l’Argentina è ancora diversi passi indietro rispetto ad altri mercati latinoamericani in termini di adozione dei prodotti biologici, pur disponendo delle basi necessarie per accelerarne la crescita.

Al panel hanno partecipato anche il Dr. Fabricio Cassán, ricercatore principale dell’Istituto di Agrobiotecnologia (INIAB-CONICET), e Solène Mira, coordinatrice tecnica di Aapresid, mentre il dibattito è stato moderato dal consulente Martín Torres Duggan. Il confronto si è concentrato sulle principali barriere e opportunità che condizionano l’adozione delle soluzioni biologiche nell’agricoltura argentina.

“Uno dei principali punti di consenso è stato che le barriere non riguardano più esclusivamente la disponibilità di tecnologia”, ha dichiarato Moyano. “La sfida consiste nel generare maggiori informazioni a livello locale, rafforzare lo sviluppo e la validazione in campo e costruire una maggiore fiducia nei risultati”.

La forte partecipazione alla sessione ha evidenziato il crescente interesse per il tema. Secondo Moyano, la sala era gremita, con una partecipazione attiva e numerose domande da parte dei presenti, un segnale che i prodotti biologici hanno ormai smesso di essere una questione di nicchia all’interno dell’agricoltura argentina.

“L’interesse per i biologici è ormai consolidato. La sfida ora consiste nel continuare a trasformare questo interesse in conoscenza, fiducia e adozione”, ha affermato.

Per DunhamTrimmer, questa transizione rappresenta una fase decisiva per l’Argentina. Il mercato dispone di ampi margini di crescita, man mano che gli agricoltori ricercano sistemi produttivi in grado di combinare efficienza, sostenibilità e un uso più efficiente delle risorse. Tuttavia, trasformare l’interesse del mercato in un’adozione sostenuta richiederà che le tecnologie dimostrino prestazioni costanti nelle condizioni agronomiche e climatiche locali.

Ciò attribuisce un’importanza sempre maggiore alle prove in campo, all’assistenza tecnica e alla generazione di dati sulle prestazioni in condizioni locali. Più che limitarsi ad ampliare la disponibilità di prodotti biologici, le aziende dovranno dimostrare in che modo queste tecnologie si integrano nei sistemi di gestione delle colture esistenti e offrono risultati affidabili alla scala del singolo appezzamento e dell’azienda agricola.

Il mercato argentino dei bioinput raggiunge USD 118 milioni

Il mercato argentino dei bioinput è valutato in circa USD 118 milioni, secondo CASAFE (Camera della Sanità Agropecuaria e dei Fertilizzanti), con una crescita del 10,9% rispetto al 2023 e un valore equivalente a circa il 4% del mercato convenzionale dei prodotti per la protezione delle colture. Il mercato continua a essere altamente frammentato, con una forte presenza di aziende nazionali.

Gli inoculanti detengono la quota maggiore, pari al 39,7% del mercato, seguiti dai biostimolanti fogliari, con il 30,8%, e dai biostimolanti per il trattamento delle sementi, con il 17,1%. I feromoni rappresentano l’8,7%, mentre i bioinsetticidi incidono per il 2,9% e i biofungicidi per lo 0,83%.

I dati mostrano che l’industria argentina degli input biologici continua a essere strutturata principalmente attorno all’inoculazione e alla biostimolazione, mentre il controllo biologico di parassiti e malattie inizia a guadagnare terreno in segmenti specifici.

L’analisi mette inoltre in evidenza le caratteristiche del sistema produttivo argentino. Con circa 20 milioni di ettari gestiti secondo un modello di produzione estensiva fortemente concentrato sulla soia, l’adozione delle tecnologie biologiche è focalizzata principalmente sul trattamento delle sementi e continua a essere selettiva. L’efficienza nutrizionale e il ritorno economico emergono come fattori chiave per l’adozione, mentre la pressione sui margini degli agricoltori e la necessità di una rigorosa validazione tecnica condizionano il ritmo di introduzione delle tecnologie.

La leadership tecnica del Paese e un comportamento di adozione relativamente conservativo costituiscono un’altra caratteristica distintiva. CASAFE segnala inoltre un elevato grado di specializzazione nella microbiologia applicata, insieme a un quadro normativo in evoluzione rispetto al Brasile.

Il biocontrollo è ancora un segmento minore, ma accelera la crescita

Il mercato del biocontrollo ha rappresentato il 12,4% del mercato argentino dei bioinput, rispetto all’87,6% delle categorie combinate di inoculanti e biostimolanti. L’adozione è concentrata principalmente nell’orticoltura, nella frutticoltura e in altri sistemi produttivi caratterizzati da una maggiore intensità tecnica.

Tuttavia, i tassi di crescita mostrano che si tratta di un segmento in rapida trasformazione. I biofungicidi sono cresciuti del 98,3% in valore nel 2024, secondo CASAFE, diventando il segmento con la maggiore espansione nel periodo più recente. Il biocontrollo nel suo complesso ha registrato un tasso medio annuo di crescita dell’11% negli ultimi cinque anni, mentre i bioinsetticidi sono diminuiti del 31% nel 2024, in parte a causa di una minore pressione degli insetti e di una riduzione della superficie trattata.

I dati suggeriscono che l’Argentina sta avanzando gradualmente da un mercato dominato dall’inoculazione verso soluzioni biologiche più complesse. Tuttavia, tutto indica che si tratterà di una transizione graduale.

Ciò rafforza la valutazione formulata da Moyano durante Aapresid: l’opportunità è considerevole, ma l’espansione del mercato dipenderà dalla capacità dell’industria di trasformare l’evidenza tecnica in fiducia e, a partire da questa fiducia, convertirla in adozione.

Leonardo Gottems

With double-digit losses projected for the 2026/27 crop, the sector is seeking alternatives to mitigate the country’s most damaging citrus disease

Brazil’s citrus industry is facing one of the most critical moments in its recent history as greening (HLB – Huanglongbing), currently considered the world’s most serious phytosanitary threat to citrus orchards, continues to spread. The growing pressure from the disease is already compromising productivity, fruit quality, orchard longevity, and sharply increasing production costs across the country’s citrus value chain.

The impacts of HLB became evident in the new forecast for the 2026/27 citrus crop in the São Paulo and Triângulo/Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt — the world’s leading orange juice-producing region. According to an announcement by Fundecitrus, production is expected to reach 255.20 million 40.8-kg boxes, a volume 12.9% lower than the previous crop, which totaled 292.94 million boxes, and also 14.7% below the average of the past decade.

According to Fundecitrus Executive Director Juliano Ayres, the combination of adverse weather conditions and increasing greening pressure has further worsened orchard conditions. “This crop has been impacted by climate variability and higher greening pressure, affecting fruit set, yield, and fruit drop. Despite improvements in average fruit weight and the technological level of orchards, the situation requires strict management and continuous monitoring,” he stated.

These figures and analyses were presented during Expocitros 2026 and Citrus Week 2026, which began this week at the Sylvio Moreira Citrus Center of the Agronomic Institute in Cordeirópolis, São Paulo state. The events bring together agribusiness leaders, researchers, growers, companies, and government representatives to discuss innovation, sustainability, biological inputs, technology, energy, and the main challenges facing Brazilian citriculture.

Incidence Near 50% Raises Alarm Across Citrus Belt

According to industry specialists, HLB has reached alarming levels. Citrus consultant Gilberto Tozatti, who has more than 40 years of experience in the sector and is founder of GCONCI (Citrus Consultants Group), says the average incidence of symptomatic trees in Brazil’s main citrus belt has already reached 47.6%, while average disease severity stands at 22.7%.

According to him, the problem goes beyond geographic spread. “Severity represents the level of plant impairment and is directly related to reduced production and increased fruit losses,” Tozatti explains. He also notes that greening has been gradually expanding into other citrus-producing regions throughout the country.

Consultant Hamilton Rocha recalls that HLB was first detected in the citrus belt in 2004 and has continued to spread ever since. “Today it is present in nearly 50% of citrus trees in the citrus belt and has already spread to Minas Gerais, Paraná, and other states,” he observes.

The economic consequences are severe. Tozatti estimates that more than 50% of premature fruit drop is currently associated with HLB. In addition, the disease significantly reduces industrial yields and compromises juice quality, directly impacting the competitiveness of Brazil’s citrus industry.

Hamilton Rocha emphasizes that losses have been accumulating for more than two decades. “Fruit production and quality have declined dramatically throughout these more than 20 years,” he says.

Integrated Management Remains the Main Strategy

With no definitive cure available on the market, greening control continues to rely on integrated management, intensive monitoring, and strict control of the psyllid Diaphorina citri, the insect vector responsible for transmitting the bacteria associated with HLB.

In regions with lower incidence levels, Tozatti highlights the importance of rapidly eradicating infected trees and maintaining rigorous vector control to prevent disease spread. In the most heavily affected areas, growers have concentrated efforts on preserving orchard productivity and longevity.

“In these regions, the focus has been on improving soil fertility, balanced nutrition, and preservation of the root system, one of the plant structures most severely affected by HLB,” the consultant says.

Hamilton Rocha points out that there is still no effective reversal of the disease in symptomatic plants. “What we can currently do is reduce the speed at which the disease advances within the orchard,” he explains.

Agronomist and PhD André Luis Teixeira Creste describes the situation as alarming. According to him, some regions already show symptomatic tree incidence levels above 70%, potentially leading to even greater losses depending on weather conditions.

Despite the disease pressure, Creste says Agro São José orchards have adopted rigorous management protocols based on Fundecitrus recommendations, including chemical and biological control, plant revitalization, and sustainable soil management practices.

“There is no silver bullet for disease control. Different tools must be combined, including soil management, vector control, chemical crop protection products, and biologicals,” he states.

He also highlights the use of solar reflectors as a complementary tool and points to new technologies currently under evaluation in the market as promising alternatives to reduce HLB-related damage.

New Technology Aims to Slow Disease Progression

Among the technologies attracting industry attention is the Trecise system, developed by Invaio Sciences. The solution uses a localized trunk injection system that allows the precise delivery of active ingredients, including bactericides such as oxytetracycline. The product is currently undergoing registration for commercial use in Brazil.

According to the company, because it is a high-precision application system in which the product is delivered directly into the plant’s vascular system, it is possible to reduce application rates by up to 90% compared to other methods, while also minimizing worker exposure and environmental impacts.

For Gilberto Tozatti, the solution represents “an extremely promising alternative” for the sector. “It brings hope for more efficient control of the bacteria inside the plant, reducing HLB-related losses and helping maintain orchards in production,” he says.

Hamilton Rocha also views the system positively. “The use of bactericides is one of the strategies that may help combat greening. Invaio’s technology is very effective because it performs localized application, avoiding exposure outside the citrus plant, and the results are highly promising,” he notes.

In trials conducted in partnership with Invaio, André Creste reports significant productivity gains. “We have observed recovery in trees with disease severity up to level 2 and productivity gains of up to 35% compared to untreated areas,” he states.

Citrus grower Tiago Davoglio considers HLB “the main problem in Brazilian citriculture” and says the sector has spent nearly 20 years attempting to control the disease without achieving a definitive solution.

“The losses are well established: fruit drop, poor flowering set, plant mortality, and compromised industrial yields,” he says. According to Davoglio, technology based on OTC application could represent an important shift in greening management strategies.

“Invaio’s technology directly attacks the disease within the HLB ‘tripod.’ We will continue controlling the vector, but with the possibility of reducing contaminated vectors spreading the bacteria to healthy plants,” he observes.

According to Alexandre Chaves, the Trecise technology, once commercially available, will represent a new strategic tool for Brazilian citrus growers. “The combination of an innovative application technology capable of delivering the product directly into the plant’s vascular system, together with a highly effective active ingredient for bacterial control, will bring an unprecedented and complementary approach to disease management. As a company, we are committed to expanding the arsenal of solutions available to Brazilian citrus growers in addressing what is currently the greatest challenge facing citriculture.”

Leonardo Gottems

Photo by Morthy Jameson on Unsplash

Is Blockchain the Solution for Agribusiness? In recent years, concerns about food security and ESG practices have increased, leading to a greater appreciation of product origin. Blockchain emerges as a solution for tracking agricultural supply chains. Studies indicate that global investments in blockchain in agriculture could reach $948 million by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 48.1% since 2020.

“The data points to growth in the agribusiness sector, mainly due to the security that blockchain technology brings and for creating certification and traceability systems that guarantee the sustainable origin of products, benefiting both consumers and producers. So, I can affirm that exploring and adopting this technology strategically ensures significant benefits that can further boost growth, competitiveness, and trust in the market,” says Diego Guareschi, CMO of Hathor.

Blockchain offers advantages to the market, promoting transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in production. It functions as a decentralized, fraud-proof database, recording operations in chained and immutable blocks, allowing for subsequent analysis of stored information through verifiers.

“A good example of this is the use of QR Codes on product packaging, which when scanned provide data such as water, fertilizer, and energy use in cultivation, as well as the amount of carbon emitted in the process. At the same time, the tool also helps the producer to have better control of their operations, optimizing time and resources by unifying everything in one platform,” he indicates.

He concludes by saying that “by spreading transparency and traceability, blockchain is able to substantially contribute to ensuring a greater commitment to the ESG agenda of one of the important sectors of the Brazilian economy, promoting security and trust among all involved. In the coming years, we can expect its use to continue to grow in the country, driving innovation in agribusiness and increasing competitiveness in the market at the national and international levels.”

Leonardo Gottems

Photo by Marta Ortigosa on Unsplash

Brazilian company Nortox has unveiled to MKTPlace its latest innovation for soybean disease control: Scudeiro, an exclusive and unprecedented fusion designed to combat rust and target spot. This fungicide, composed of Protioconazole and Tebuconazole, has been meticulously crafted to stand out as the primary choice for the initial soybean application.

Commercial Director João Marcos Ferrari emphasizes Nortox’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for farmers, extending beyond the mere sale of active ingredients. According to him, all possible combinations among fungicide groups were tested, leading to the conclusion of the mixture of two triazoles.

In turn, Célio Hiroyuki Fudo, Product Development Manager, stated that the synergy between Protioconazole and Tebuconazole ensured “efficacy in controlling Asian rust,” demonstrating “excellent performance in combating other soybean diseases.”

Thiago Polles, Market Development Leader, highlights that Scudeiro is a broad-spectrum systemic fungicide, registered for various crops such as cotton, corn, wheat, barley, and sorghum, eliminating the need for adjuvant oil.

The distinctive formulation of Scudeiro, developed in 27 research institutions in Brazil and Cooperative Trials, has proven effective in controlling diseases such as target spot and Asian rust, ensuring productivity and being selective for soybean cultivation.

Maicom Tumiate, Registration and Development Manager, emphasizes the prioritization of the product by the Ministry of Agriculture due to its exclusive and innovative composition, combined with the technical product synthesis and formulation in Brazil.

Lucas Morais, Marketing Coordinator – Communication, underscores that the launch of Scudeiro marks the continuation of the company’s new communication positioning in the market. Celebrating 70 years in April 2024, Nortox adopts a new marketing strategy for Scudeiro and upcoming innovations, moving away from the tradition of naming products after the predominant active ingredient.

Leonardo Gottems

Photo by Kanchanara on Unsplash

Agrotoken has partnered with Santander to launch “the world’s first experience” of providing resources through tokens based on agricultural commodities.

For each token, there is a ton of grains that the producer has sold and delivered to a grain trading and agricultural production company. Similarly, all tons are validated through a Proof of Grain Reserve (PoGR) – a transparent, secure, decentralized, and auditable system at all times through a modern security infrastructure.

Once producers have their digital assets, agro tokens can be used for various operations, taking into account three price indices defined in conjunction with the Matba Rofex Group (a market where financial and agricultural futures and options are traded), reflecting the real-time value of grains. Since the beginning of 2021, several operations have been conducted, demonstrating the usability of crypto assets in exchange for various types of inputs, trucks, machinery, and real estate, among other things.

Eduardo Novillo Astrada, CEO and co-founder of Agrotoken states that they are “creating, together with Santander, various financial products to offer agricultural producers a service through which they can easily and smoothly access a new credit system backed by the sale of their grains.”

“At Santander Argentina, we have technology and innovation to generate new business solutions that make life easier and expand opportunities for agricultural producers. This is the first time that a financial services platform using blockchain technology and crypto assets to expand the agricultural credit market and unleash the business potential of the producer,” said Fernando Bautista, Head of Agribusiness at Santander Argentina.

The bank announced that it “believes in technology” and will invest $225 million in this area in Argentina. According to them, it is the first time that a global financial services platform links tokens of agricultural products to financial products, using blockchain technology to generate new business and make the process more efficient.

Leonardo Gottems

Photo by James Baltz on Unsplash

Vegetable bioactivator-controlling nematodes can be associated with fertilizers.

Derived from plant sources, the Organic Bloom vegetable bioactivator has been drawing the attention of technicians and farmers as an efficient organic alternative in combating the main species of nematodes that cause damage to crops such as soybeans, corn, beans, and cotton. In addition to being effective in controlling reniform nematodes, along with gall, cyst, and lesion nematodes, Organic Bloom has studies confirming its ability to solubilize phosphorus, induce resistance against nematodes in soybean plants, and synergize with biological products formulated with bacteria and fungi.

According to agronomist Cristiane dos Reis, Director of Research and Development (R&D) at Ingal Agrotechnology, studies were conducted in collaboration with nematologist Dr. Cristiano Bellé from the Phytus Institute, confirming the effectiveness of Organic Bloom against nematodes when incorporated into organomineral fertilizer formulations.

The research was conducted in greenhouse and field settings in soybean (Glycine max) cultivation. Various organomineral fertilizer formulations treated with Organic Bloom were compared to their standards and also to mineral fertilizers regarding plant productivity parameters and mitigation of the root-knot nematode, Meloidoyne javanica.

In the greenhouse trial, 30 days after the application of Organomineral treated with 2 Liters.Ton-1 of Organic Bloom, there was efficiency in controlling Meloidogyne javanica eggs and juveniles in 100 cm3 of soil, with reductions of 46.2% and 43.2% compared to the control treatment, respectively. At 60 days after the application of organomineral in the soil, the highest response was observed in juvenile control, with an efficiency of 35.6%.

Field trials were conducted in Júlio de Castilhos/RS and showed more significant results compared to the same dose used in the greenhouse. At 30 days, efficiency of 46.8% and 48.2% in controlling eggs and juveniles in the soil was observed, with a similar result found in nematode control in soybean roots.

“Unexpectedly, the efficiency levels for both young plants and soil-buried eggs, as well as soybean roots, were sustained at consistent levels even 60 days after the introduction of organomineral fertilizer into the soil. The results, however, went beyond nematode control, as during the trial, factors related to soybean plant physiology, such as fresh root and shoot mass, were benefited, resulting in a productivity increase of 6.54 sc/ha,” commented Cristiane dos Reis.

According to her, the result contributes to strengthening studies initiated in 2021 by Ingal Agrotechnology. Preliminary tests were conducted on the treatment of mineral fertilizers with Organic Bloom, and promising results led to the development of the first organomineral enriched with Organic Bloom in the state of Paraná.

Ingal Agrotechnology’s Commercial Leader for the Southern Region, Estevão Terra Caetano, also established the technology in the cassava market. It is important to note that results have already been obtained in wheat cultivation. The research will continue with various organomineral fertilizer formulations and will be presented at the 35th Symposium of the European Society of Nematologists in April 2024 in Spain.

The results reveal that the addition of Organic Bloom to mineral (NPK) and organomineral fertilizers promotes greater root development and soybean plant growth. In addition to the benefits related to the crop, the combat against the main nematodes in the soil was verified in the first 30 days after emergence.

Treatments with NPK + Organic Bloom (2 L per ton of NPK in the 5-20-20 formulation) and Organomineral + Organic Bloom (2 L per ton of organomineral) achieved control efficiencies of 38.6% and 43.2% on juveniles and 38.5% to 46.5% on Meloidogyne javanica eggs. In the roots, control efficiency ranged from 31.3% for NPK + Organic Bloom to 38.2% for Organomineral + Organic Bloom on juveniles and remained at a similar level on Meloidogyne javanica eggs.

In the 60-day evaluation after emergence, greater control efficiency of Meloidogyne javanica juveniles occurred in the soil, 30.1% and 35.6% for NPK and Organomineral treated with Organic Bloom, respectively. Regarding the roots, the highest percentage of control was observed on nematode eggs, 39.2% in the NPK + Organic Bloom treatment and 32.2% in the Organomineral + Organic Bloom treatment.

Leonardo Gottems