Koppert has a global network of trial fields with more than 300 outdoor and protected crop farms across Europe, the UK, Africa, and the Americas to teach farmers how to correctly manage biological control strategies and integrated pest management to get better results.
At demo farms, producers learn that climate, geography, timing, and application methods affect the effectiveness of biological crop protection solutions. In addition, they can see how effective biological control is in real situations and the return on investment for companies that rely on this sustainable pest and disease control method.
Over the years, the work carried out on the demo farms has made it possible for the fungus Trichoderma harzianum, which is used to produce the Trianum biological bio-fungicide, to earn a reputation as a reliable solution for the control of soil-borne diseases in outdoor crops. In 2023, Koppert's beneficial nematodes passed a litmus test, as Casea's beneficial nematodes reduced potato damage by 30% in soils heavily infested with wireworms, significantly outperforming the results offered by available chemical solutions.
In southern Europe, demo farms are helping producers learn about two Koppert products that play an important role in preventing and controlling mealybugs in grapes and citrus fruits. The combination of Citripar (a parasitic wasp) and Cryptobug (a predatory beetle) has proven to be very effective in controlling mealybug infestations. "Some conventional insecticides, such as spirotetramat, which producers in southern Europe used to rely on, will soon be banned. Our Citripar and Cryptobug solutions are excellent biological alternatives. " The interest generated by Citripar and Cryptobug reflects the growing recognition of beneficial insects as effective alternatives to traditional crop protection methods.
The 2024 trials feature numerous beneficial insects such as predatory mites, predatory bugs, and ladybirds to control a variety of damaging pests such as spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, mealybugs, and codling moths. "We know that producers will be surprised by their efficiency, which can exceed that of conventional solutions," said Felipe Capobianco, global technical manager of the Demonstration Farms project, who will present this high added-value service to producers in detail during the Field Trials, Empowering Growers event, which will be held at Koppert's stand (9E24) at Fruit Attraction, on Wednesday, October 9, at 11:30 am.
Felipe Capobianco (Left)
Artificial intelligence
At Fruit Attraction, Koppert will launch a new version of its side effects application, which starting October 1 will be called Koppert One Side Effects. This new version has a digital assistant with artificial intelligence (AI) that improves the quantity and quality of information available to the producer to help him make decisions most efficiently. Other new features include a search history, which allows you to track previous user queries, and an improved design and interface to improve the user experience.
The Koppert One Side Effects app evaluates the compatibility of various pesticides, taking into account their direct effects, such as mortality or hindering the development of eggs or pupae, as well as indirect effects, such as reducing the reproductive capacity of beneficial microbes and insects, problems with molting or a repellent effect. The Koppert One Side Effects application will be available via the new Koppert One portal, both as a desktop version and for mobile devices.
Visitors to the Koppert stand will be able to learn about all the latest developments in biological pest and disease control for all types of crops. This year special attention will be paid to the wide range of predatory mites, on which Koppert bases its biological control strategies to effectively manage important pests such as red spider mites or the Thrips parvispinus.
For more information:
Koppert
www.koppert.es