Growing genetically modified (GM) crops is one attempt to replace post-infestation chemical treatments. However, environmentalists fear new genes could trigger unknown side effects with more serious, long-term environmental and economic consequences than the problems they were used to solve. GM plants designed to resist herbicide applications could potentially pass the resistant genes to closely related wild weed species that would then become “super weeds”. The use of chemical herbicides, insecticides, and other pesticides increased dramatically all over the world. This has increased mutations among the genes of bacteria and plants and allowed these organisms to resist the effects of chemicals that were toxic to their ancestors. Use of pesticides leads to a cycle wherein more or different combinations of chemicals are used, and more pests develop resistance to these toxins. Additionally, the development of herbicide-resistant crop plants enables greater use of herbicides to kill undesirable weeds in croplands.
Increasing interest in biopesticides may slow the cycle of pesticide resistance. ABR has developed different types of biopesticides, including beneficial bacteriophages and herbal materials that can be used in infested areas to prey upon specific pests.
Nematode Management
Plant parasitic nematodes are small worm-shaped invertebrates, ranging in length from 0.5-10mm. Nematodes are active, flexible, elongate, organisms that live on moist surfaces or in liquid environments, including films of water within soil and moist tissues within other organisms. While only 20,000 species of nematode have been identified, it is estimated that 40,000 to 10 million actually exist. Some species of nematodes have evolved to be very successful parasites of both plants and animals and are responsible for significant economic losses in agriculture and livestock and for morbidity and mortality in humans. They affect agricultural lands worldwide and are some of the most damaging pests of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate agriculture. They can cause serious yield losses in crops such as citrus, potatoes, banana, rice, pineapple, coffee, peanuts, sugar cane, and tobacco. Nematodes damage crops by direct feeding, transmitting viruses and facilitating bacterial and fungal infections. Nematodes often do not provide clear symptoms, their economic effect tends to be underestimated by growers, however annual losses to world agriculture are estimated to be US$100 billion. Furthermore, the parasitic nematodes (roundworms) of small ruminants and other livestock cause diseases of major socio-economic importance worldwide. The current financial and agricultural losses caused by parasites have a substantial impact on farm profitability. The annual cost associated with parasitic diseases in sheep and cattle has been estimated at tens of billions of dollars worldwide, excluding production losses. Thus, there are major economic gains to be made in agriculture by enhancing the control of key parasitic diseases.
ABR has developed an inexpensive environmentally friendly anti-nematode agent that effectively treats all 3 life stages of nematodes: egg, larvae and adult. It also works on all types of soils, and in addition it works as an organic fertilizer, while the aiming to raise production yield of agriculture crops through the adoption of natural and environmentally friendly pesticides and increase fertilization on soil to replace the potential high risks associated with chemical pesticides, both for the environment and human health. Furthermore, the phyto material can also be used in plant nurseries, as it shows that it is credible to prevent transplant shock.
Advantages:
- Environmentally friendly nematodecide over 95% of both eggs & root-knot larvae (genus Meloidogyne) were killed in the field within 24 hours,
- Protect plant from transplant shock 100% survival of plants
- Improve growth rate of plants
- Corrects soil’s deficiencies in structure & or nutrients
- Extends longevity (keeps fresh) after harvest of flowers, vegetables and fruits
ABR has also developed a novel phyto anti-nematode formula that treats gastrointestinal nematode infestations in sheep within 24 days. It is cost effective. Targeting all 3 life stages of nematodes: egg, larvae and adult roundworms.