Seeing is believing. While beneficial insects and mites can be spotted at work in the crop with a magnifying glass, many of our natural solutions (such as beneficial nematodes and fungi) are only noticed once growers see the pest or disease disappear. Koppert Agronomical R&D is changing that assumption by ‘making the invisible visible’.
“Understanding begins when you don’t just apply the product, but by recognizing that the product is alive and it has a specific mode of action”, says Raul Masteling, Global Team Lead Biofungicides at Koppert. What started as a demo display in petri dishes for groups of colleagues from the sales department grew to an educational experience for our customers. Growers, suppliers, universities and industry associations have already experienced our microscopic solutions in action.
During the ‘Making the Invisible Visible’ experience, we aim to show our different solutions at work in a simple and clear way, supported by time-lapse videos and displays under the microscope. We zoom in on different solutions that, in practice, will work together to create an Integrated Pest Management strategy. “Everything we show has been scientifically proven and validated”, says Masteling. “This way we can ensure that the way we show it to our customers is also the way it acts in practice.”
Beneficial nematodes
Beneficial (or entomopathogenic) nematodes are microscopic worms that are widely used to control soil-borne and foliar pests.
After application, nematodes actively search for insect hosts, enter them, and release bacteria that kill the pest. To make this process more tangible, we literally bring it into view. By showing visitors under the microscope what an infected insect looks like, we help reveal how these invisible allies are working to protect their crops.
Biofungicides
Beneficial microorganisms, such as Trianum, help protect crops against diseases by growing on the roots of crops. Beyond their efficacy in controlling soil borne-diseases, these microorganisms further support plant health, strengthen the root system, increasing nutrient uptake and create conditions in which harmful pathogens struggle to develop.
The result is a healthier and stronger crop. To make this process visible, we show growers how root systems develop and how healthy roots leave little opportunity for diseases to establish themselves. We also highlight the ways that our products are able to control diseases by producing metabolites and parasitizing on pathogens, in the case of Trianum. We do this by showing the difference between treated and untreated crops.
Changing the narrative
Our demonstrations reveal the hidden world of nearly invisible organisms - from growers surprised by what happens to nematodes once they are diluted in water, to students finally seeing in practice what they learned in textbooks
As regulations drive a reduction in conventional pesticides, growers are looking for reliable alternatives. What we show is that these alternatives are not only available: they are high quality and proven to work. Backed by more than 55 years of research and practical experience, Koppert biological solutions offer a solid and effective foundation for the future of crop protection.
