Researcher Andressa Zamboni Machado, from the nematology laboratory at the Agronomic Institute of Paraná (Iapar), coordinates a project that develops three new nematicides with less impact on the environment. These are two biological products and one chemical (less toxic) that should reach the market in 2017.
According to Andressa, bionematicides are intended for seed treatment, while synthetic ones can be sprayed. However, both “harm the environment less”, guarantees the researcher of the initiative, which is managed by the Agribusiness Research and Development Support Foundation (Fapeagro).
Testing the new products has been going on for around three years. “We are applying different doses to the plants and evaluating the toxicity of the products”, he reveals. The nematicides will focus on soybeans, but are also being developed for sugar cane, coffee, citrus, potatoes and cotton, among others.
The researcher explains that, once the product analyzes have been completed, the reports will be forwarded to Mapa (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply), which is the body responsible for beginning the process of evaluating and releasing nematicides for commercialization.
Source: Agrolink
