Experience around the world
Koppert has long collaborated with growers worldwide to enhance crop health and productivity using biological protection solutions, from microorganisms to beneficial insects, all aimed at achieving 100% sustainable agriculture. We manage this effort through a broad network of field trials across various crops, climates, and soil conditions. These trials offer valuable insights into new techniques and solutions, ensuring effective, sustainable crop protection and optimal results for growers.
Added value for growers
Koppert's network of field trials reflects our commitment to a new global model of food production. By dedicating financial, technical, and human resources, we offer growers a valuable service, helping secure a sustainable and profitable future in an environment of mutual trust. On demonstration fields, growers learn how climate, geography, timing, and application methods impact the effectiveness of biological crop protection solutions. They can also see firsthand the effectiveness and return on investment of sustainable pest and disease control methods
Crop cycle expertise for growers
This year, Koppert is conducting over 300 global field trials, showcasing biological control solutions across various temperatures and in a wide range of crops. In 2023, we gathered insights from 116 trials in France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. We're now expanding our reach to deliver strong results across Europe and beyond.
These trials empower us with the knowledge and expertise to navigate growers through every stage of the crop cycle, ensuring the successful implementation of biocontrol in their IPM strategy.
Proven solutions for row crops
Trianum, based on the fungus Trichoderma harzianum T22, has proven effective against soil-borne diseases in outdoor crops. In the US, it is now showing promise for row crops like corn and soybeans, while in Europe, it has already demonstrated significant benefits in potatoes, including reduced plant loss and improved crop quality. Preliminary results suggest it will be equally beneficial for US row crops.
Also our beneficial nematodes excelled in trials, reducing potato damage by 30% in wireworm-infested soils, outperforming chemical solutions. This success has led to expanded trials in the UK, France, and Germany to further improve soil health and manage wireworm populations.
Effective results in grapes and citrus
In southern Europe, Koppert’s Citripar (a parasitic wasp) and Cryptobug (a predatory beetle) will be crucial for managing mealybug infestations in grapes and citrus. With conventional insecticides like spirotetramat being phased out, these biological alternatives offer an effective solution. Demonstrations and field days will help growers discover their efficacy, which may surpass that of traditional methods.
The growing interest in Citripar and Cryptobug highlights the shift toward beneficial insects as viable crop protection options. In 2024, our trials also include predatory mites, and predatory bugs to tackle pests like red spider mites, thrips, whitefly, mealybugs, and diaspines, showcasing their potential to complement or replace chemical insecticides.
Outdoor vegetables
We are observing positive results with our biological crop protection solutions across various crops, including onions and carrots.
Trial results for Trianum-P, used to control Pythium, have been excellent. Not only were the results impressive during the growing season, but they also remained strong after 4 months of storage. Similarly, trials with Trianum targeting Pythium in carrots demonstrated an extremely positive average yield increase of 2.8 tons/ha.
Our beneficial nematodes provide a powerful solution for controlling onion fly and bean seed fly, with trial results showing 80% efficacy against onion fly. Additionally, T. harzianum T-22 has proven to be a valuable solution for onion crops, with trials indicating a 12% reduction in damaged onion bulbs due to Fusarium.
Advantages of biological crop protection
Biological crop protection provides numerous benefits for growers, enhancing their crop potential and optimizing overall yield.
Easy to integrate in your IPM strategy
No residues
Limited to no resistance
Safe for users
Easy to use
Safe for the environment
No pre-harvest interval
Easy to integrate in your IPM strategy
No residues
Limited to no resistance
Safe for users
Easy to use
Safe for the environment
Biocontrol in agriculture
In Dronten lies Koen's farm, where traditional and organic agriculture come together. Koen shares his personal experiences and insights about the future of agriculture, where traditional and organic practices complement each other, and how organic and traditional farming are getting closer together.
"10 years ago, organic farming was miles ahead in terms of sustainability and environmental friendliness, but that gap is getting smaller. In 15 years, I expect there will be no difference at all, especially due to the rapid increase in effective organic methods," said Koen.
A promising future
The good results obtained encourage us to expand our Field Trials network. In the coming years we will incorporate more fields and more crops to be able to show growers the advantages of biological control and help them understand that it is the best option for the future to guarantee the protection of their crops against pests and diseases.
We are constantly listening to growers and know that they are struggling to cope with the disappearance of certain chemicals that will never return to the market. Thanks to our network of Field Trials, we avoid unnecessary risks for growers and allow them to see for themselves how biological pest and disease control is properly managed. When growers decide to take their first steps alone with our biological control strategies, there is always a Koppert consultant nearby to offer the best professional advice.
