Good Fruit Grower | Matt Milkovich | Article Link
When it comes to controlling disease and insect pests of fruit crops, biopesticides have always played second fiddle to their conventional counterparts. But that trend is changing, as newer biopesticide products prove themselves more effective than earlier offerings.
Michigan State University entomology professor John Wise pointed out the greater presence of biopesticides in the various trials being conducted at MSU’s Trevor Nichols Research Center (TNRC) in western Michigan. Wise, TNRC’s research and extension coordinator, spoke during the center’s annual research field day on Oct. 1…READ MORE
—Grandevo (Chromobacterium subtsugae) and Venerate (Burkholderia rinojensis), both produced by Marrone Bio Innovations, are mixtures of metabolites produced by the bacterium during fermentation. Both products are labeled for pome and stone fruits, blueberries, caneberries, strawberries and grapes, and are listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production. Wise said both biopesticides have been included in several apple, cherry, grape and blueberry efficacy trials at TNRC over the past five years. Grandevo offered good results for control of many insect pests, including spotted wing drosophila, fruitworms, aphids and grape berry moth, while Venerate showed good results for control of insect pests including plum curculio, fruit worms, aphids and grape berry moth, he said.
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