BioPulse The pulse of Biological Agriculture
Issue 1 | February 2013
Summer Grains -We Report Back Rosan and Rob report back from the field on the success of new products Eco-Soy and Eco-T Ezi-Flo
WELCOME SABA
BIOLOGICALS & IPM
THE HUMBLE HONEY BEE
Andre announces the formation of a
Sias examines the role of Biological
Megan looks into the importance of Bees,
governing body for the local Biological
products in Integrated Pest Management
why and how we should be protecting them.
industry.
programs.
Brought to you by The driving force behind Sustainable Agriculture Tel. 086 104 5261
www.madumbi.co.za
support@madumbi.co.za
Madumbi Sustainable Agriculture supports the formation of the SOUTH AFRICAN BIOPRODUCT ASSOCIATION – SABA. ANDRE FOX Madumbi Sustainable Agriculture CEO andre@madumbi.co.za 92 attendees from all sectors of industry, with an interest in “Bioproducts” attended a green workshop in Stellenbosch in September 2012. The theme of the workshop was “Sustainable Solutions for tomorrow”. With the considerable investment over the past year on an international level into the Bioproduct industry, South African business and consumers find ourselves asking what we are doing to keep abreast of this industry. The result of the workshop saw an election of a steering committee. This committee will meet in March in Johannesburg to start its important task of bringing integrity and sustainability to the Bioproducts industry in South Africa. Pictured below, attendees from all sectors of the agricultural industry gathered at the “Sustainable Solutions for Tomorrow” workshop in Stellenbosch.
The steering committee for SABA 2013 as elected at the workshop represents stakeholders from all sectors of our industry. They are:Tom Murray (Woolworths), Piet Prinsloo (ZZ2), Patrick Deale (Deale Attorneys), Professor Lise Korsten (UP), Professor Nico Labuschagne (UP), Professor Mark Laing (UKZN), Andre Fox (Madumbi SA), Graham Limerick (Microbial Solutions), Dr Shaun Berry (BASF), Keith Danckwerts (River Bioscience), Stephan Honiball (Vital Bugs), Dr Mike Morris (PHP) and Dr Sean Moore (CRI).
Madumbi Sustainable Agriculture wishes them well. Page 1
Andre Welcomes SABA
Eco-T
The must have Trichoderma for Winter Wheat • The biocontrol agent for damping off diseases. • A beneficial soil inoculant and root growth promoter. • Offers improved germination, faster seedling development and enhanced root development. • A cost effective insurance policy for any crop. Now also available as
Eco-T Ezi-Flo* Eco-T combined with graphite and talc, an easy to use lubricant for mechanical planters with added benefits. Ideal for winter wheat plantings. Brought to you by
Your partner in Sustainable Solutions * Registration of new formulation pending.
Die rol van Biologiese middels in geïntegreerde plaagbeheer (GPB) of “Integrated Pest Management” (IPM) strategië. SIAS LEIPOLDT Madumbi Sustainable Agriculture Catagory Manager - BioInoculants and BioManagement sias@madumbi.co.za Daar is verskeie definisies vir GPB/ IPM. Die Amerikaanse omgewingsbeskermings-agentskap (U.S. EPA) definieer dit as volg: IPM programme maak gebruik van huidige en volledige inligting van die lewensiklus van plaagorganismes en hul interaksie met die omgewing. Hierdie inligting tesame met beskikbare plaagbeheer metodes word gebruik om die plaag op die mees ekonomiese manier te beheer met die minste moontlike impak op mense se gesondheid, besittings en die omgewing. IPM word ook opgesom as “The right tool at the right time in the right way.” Cornell Universiteit in Amerika som die verskillende aspekte van geïntegreerde plaagbeheer op met die volgende skematiese voorstelling.
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Sias examines the role of Biologicals in IPM
Geïntegreerde plaagbeheer is glad nie ‘n nuwe konsep nie en dit word heelhartig ondersteun deur instansies soos die FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), Croplife, die EU (Europese Unie) en ander. Reeds in 2009 het die Europese Unie amptelike riglyne gepubliseer vir die daarstelling van ‘n raamwerk vir die volhoubare gebruik van plaagdoders. Hierdie instruksies (Article 14 of Directive 2009/128/EC) fokus onder ander op: • Voorkeur en bevordering van lae risiko plaagdoder strategië tydens plaagbeheer (middels met lae risiko ten opsigte van mense se gesondheid en die omgewing). • Die vestiging en ondersteuning van noodsaaklike voorwaardes vir die implementering van IPM. • Om die gebruik van IPM beginsels verpligtend te maak vanaf Januarie 2014 in EU lidlande. (Volledige EU instruksies is beskikbaar by die volgende web adres: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:309:0071:0086:EN:PDF ) IPM is ‘n aaneenlopende proses waartydens die betrokke plaagorganisme beheer word, terwyl verskeie faktore in ag geneem word. Hierdie faktore sluit in die korrekte identifikasie van die organisme, monitering van die plaag populasie vlakke, berekening en gebruik van drempelwaardes, die evaluering en korrekte gebruik van ALLE beskikbare beheer opsies, vroegtydige implementering van die gekose beheer opsies sodat die klem op voorkomede beheer eerder as regstellende beheer val. Biologiese plaagbeheermiddels vorm ‘n gedeelte van ‘n IPM strategie, maar weens die verbetering in die algehele kwaliteit van hedendaagse biologiese middels en die kenmerke van hierdie tipe produkte, pas dit perfek in IPM programme. Kyk gerus na die volgende kenmerke van biologiese produkte en oorweeg die insluiting daarvan in u GPB/ IPM strategie: • Verbeterde effektiwiteit as voorheen, weens verbeterde formulasies, beter isolate en verlengde raklewe. • Geen minimum residu vlakke (MRL). • Nie fitotoksies nie. • Geen of baie kort onthoudings periodes (PHI). • Omgewingsvriendelik en veilig teenoor werkers en die gebruiker. Links: ‘n Voorbeeld van ‘n eenvoudige GPB / IPM strategie. Dit maak gebruik van ‘n tradisionele chemiese swamdoder in kombinasie met Eco-T, ‘n biologiese produk met Trichoderma harzianum. Eco-T is ook effektief in die beheer van sekere swamsiektes en is ‘n bekende plantgroei stimulant. Die kombinasie het die beste resultate gelewer in terme van die lewering van gesonde saailinge.
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Sias examines the role of Biologicals in IPM
Summer Grains - We report back on two new products tested extensivly this past season. This season saw extensive testing of two new products by Madumbi and manufactures Plant Health Products. Eco-Soy, a new Rhizobium inoculant twin pack for soya and Eco-T Ezi-Flo, a new formulation of Eco-T containing talc and graphite specially designed for use with mechanical planters. Both innovative products were well received and widely tested in the market place. We have been waiting with great anticipation for feedback from the trials and below are Rob and Rosan’s reports following their visits to various growers in the maize and soya regions.
ROB HELLIG Madumbi Sustainable Agriculture Key Account Manager - KwaZulu-Natal rob@madumbi.co.za Eco-Soy was tested across the Natal soya regions and results show it is set to offer strong competition to the well established Rhizobium brands. Madumbi partnered with distributors in KZN Farmers Agri-Care and the results and comparisons were eagerly awaited as most of the products were used side by side with various other soya inoculants as agents and growers looked to compare efficacy. Greytown - Eco-Soy was planted with only a farm road separating it from a leading opposition product. The result was extremely positive with Eco-Soy showing darker green leaves across the crop, enhanced root growth with plenty of fine root hairs and a greater number of nodules occupying the full length of the root base. Bergville/Winterton - Eco-Soy stood against 2 other market leaders and again compared well with the opposition and the results far surpassed expectation. Producing a great stand with an excellent colour and more nodules on average proved that the extra loading of Rhizobium in Eco-Soy combined with Eco-T was benefitting the crop as a whole. Natal Midlands - Eco-Soy was used extensively and has produced fantastic looking crops with both agents and farmers suitably impressed by the results they were achieving. Eco-T Ezi-Flo was introduced a little late in the hour regarding the maize planting season, but still enjoyed great support. Vryheid and Bergville, in particular, took fantastically to the product and farmers were happy to add value to their planting process with the new easy to use combination product. This product enhanced Eco-T applications to seed and proved to be extremely efficient and easy to use during the planting process. Madumbi has received excellent reports on the quality of maize planted with the product and look forward to the plantings of wheat later in the year where the product will again be tested.
Above: Rob Wood of FAC Howick with his customer in the Karkloof inspecting soya lands planted with Eco-Soy. The soya’s are looking very healthy and lifted plants showed excellent nodulation and root development.
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Summer Grains - Report Back
ROSAN JANSE VAN VUUREN Madumbi Sustainable Agriculture Key Account Manager - North rosan@madumbi.co.za Madumbi het saamgespan met die verspreider Laeveld Agrochem in die noordelike areas en Eco-Soy is soos met ander produkte in die verlede goed ontvang deur die agente. Verskeie eenhede Eco-Soy is op die proef gestel deur produsente en is in die nabyheid van kompeterende produkte geplant. Talle opvolg besoek is aan hierdie areas gebring en in die meeste gevalle was die resultate uitstekend. Fig 1. Eweredige sojaboon opkoms een maand na planting en goeie vroeë ontwikkeling van die wortels. FarmSecure proewe te Middelburg.
Fig 2. Sterk gesonde wortelontwikkeling te danke aan die Eco-T komponent in Eco-Soy plus bogemiddelde nodulering met gesonde, sterk en groot nodules weens die hoë sel telling van Rhizobium stam WB74. Gesnyde nodules met ‘n pienk tot rooi kleur bevestig die lewensvatbaarheid van hierdie nodules. Groot stikstof bindende nodules het n belangrike rol om te vervul veral tydens blom en peul groei stadia wanneer die plante heelwat meer stikstof benodig.
Dit sou onrealisties wees om ‘n 100% sukses te verwag en Madumbi het ‘n paar uitdagings ondervind soos wat verwag kan word nadat hierdie produk op groter skaal en onder wisselende toestande getoets is. Van die waarneming (ook met kompetisie produkte) was hoofsaaklik oneweredige en swakker opkoms en na ondersoek is bevestig dat dit toegeskryf kon word aan kouer temperature, veral nag temperature wat in die spesifieke area ondervind is gedurende Oktober en November. Dit is ook gestaaf deur die Proteien Navorsings studie groep. Oor tyd en met verbertering van toestande het die saailing vestiging tot ‘n groot mate herstel. Latere waarnemings het te doen gehad met vergeling van soja plante. Dit het die belangrikheid van ‘n loof toediening en die aanvulling van elemente soos molibdeen onderstreep om sodoende plant gesondheid, effektiewe stikstof binding en die sukses van die Rhizobium entstof te verseker. Dit is veral krities in die geval van teruggehoude saad waar die onus op die produsent val om te verseker dat daar aan die voedingstof behoeftes van die plant (soos molibdeen) voeldoen word. Siektedruk Sover word goeie siektedruk teen Fusarium en Sclerotinia waargeneem met Eco-Soy. Dit is veral van toepassing in lande waar daar goeie onkruid en insek plaagbeheer vooraf toegepas is. Plante word onder geweldig druk geplaas met herhaaldelike toedienings van glifosaat en ander onkruiddoders asook insek vreetskade wat die plante meer vatbaar maak vir patogeen infestasies. Nou wag Madumbi net vir oesresultate teen einde April se kant. Madumbi se doelwit is om die jaar met nuwe navorsing aan ons kant nog meer tevrede Eco-Soy kliente te werf. Hoër oesopbrengste (die gemiddeld vir RSA is tans 1.3 ton/ha) en proteïen gehalte is moontlik in die sojabedryf en ons kan hande vat om dit moontlik te maak. Page 6
Summer Grains - Report Back
The Humble Honey Bee... MEGAN TYLER Madumbi Sustainable Agriculture Marketing Assistant megan@madumbi.co.za While most people would recognize the common honey bee few realize that there are nearly 20,000 known species of bees inhabiting nearly every continent and every habitat that contains insect-pollinated flowering plants. They, as the major type of plant pollinator, perform the important task of pollinating flowering plants thereby ensuring the plants’ reproduction and survival. It is estimated that one third of the human food supply is dependent on this pollination, making bees a crucial factor for the agricultural industry. Left: Honeybees on a sunflower. The sunflower fields of Limpopo Province are an excellent forage resource for honeybees - a win-win for beekeepers (who need the forage) and farmers (who need the pollination service).
Unfortunately, in recent years concern has arisen over the survival of this very important group of farm workers most significantly on the continents of North America and Europe where the decline and its effect on agriculture has resulted in the business of contract pollination overtaking the role of honey production for beekeepers in many countries. This decline has been attributed to a number of factors, some of which are caused by the very industry that relies on their survival. Bee population decline in the USA began in the 1950’s, a time period that coincides with the boom in the agricultural industry and the widespread adoption of agricultural pesticides. This increase in monoculture that resulted in the destruction of a great percentage of the bee’s natural and varied forage along with the use of products toxic to their survival undoubtedly had its effect and since then the populations have never recovered. Further to this, poor nutritional status of crops that has developed from the use of nutritionally limited synthetic fertilizers and the advent of genetically modified crops have arguably resulted in the bee’s diet of nectar and pollen being nutritionally compromised. All of these factors point to a bee population that is under significant stress and immune systems that are likely to be compromised. Add to this an increased prevalence of diseases and parasites like the varroa mite and Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD - a phenomenon where worker bees abruptly disappear from the colony resulting in its collapse) becomes an unsurprising phenomenon. While it is clear scientists can attribute no one cause to the phenomenon of CCD and it is more likely the unfortunate combination of all of the above factors that has resulted in the bees’ demise in the United States and Europe, it is also clear that the agricultural industry can play a significant contributory role, either positive or negative.
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The Humble Honey Bee
Fortunately for us in South Africa local bee populations appear to remain healthy, however it is generally acknowledged that they are under threat. It is important we take every step to conserve and protect our valuable resource of bees and other beneficial insect populations. How can you help? • Regulate your use of pesticides known to be harmful to bees and avoid spraying during periods when bees are known to be active. Neonicotinoids have been identified as particularly harmful to bees and systemic products which will contaminate pollen and nectar are also likely to be particularly harmful. • Remember that bees require food year round not just in the season your crop is flowering. Preserve areas of natural vegetation and restore pollinator-friendly habitats on your farm. This will provide an alternative food source for natural pollinators when your crop is not in flower. As well as the ecological importance of this practice it can also have significant financial benefit as natural pollination has been shown to improve the quality and quantity of agricultural crops. The vicinity of a forest or wild grassland with native pollinators near agricultural crops has also been shown to improve yield by as much as 20%. • Make use of planting cover crops when fields are not in use. These will not only enrich the soil but also provide a food source for pollinators out of the growing seasons. • Establish and protect pollinator nesting areas. • An arm of the Global Pollination and Honeybee Forage Project has been established in close collaboration with the Plant Protection Research Institute of the Agricultural Research Council. Please visit the links below for more information on the conservation of bees in South Africa and how farmers can help. http://www.sanbi.org/programmes/conservation/pollination-and-honeybees http://www.sanbi.org/sites/default/files/documents/documents/pollinafricabookletweb.pdf
Madumbi’s Range of Bee Friendly Bio-Pesticides Bolldex for the reduction of African Bollworm on all crops. Cryptex for the reduction of False Codling Moth on citrus, pomegranates, persimmons and table grapes
Madex for the reduction of Codling Moth on apples and pears
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The Humble Honey Bee
The driving force behind Sustainable Agriculture Tel. 086 104 5261 www.madumbi.co.za support@madumbi.co.za
Until next time from the Madumbi team, Happy Farming!