Researcher at Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, Brasil
Biological Control in Brazil: The use of Bio inputs
Host: E. Benedetti
Abstract
The adoption of bioinputs in Brazilian agriculture has expanded rapidly, with an estimated annual growth rate of 20-30%, accompanied by a parallel increase in scientific research. Among these, biopesticides based on baculoviruses and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have gained prominence as environmentally sustainable tools for pest management. These biological control agents are widely employed against key lepidopteran pests, including the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda, the soybean looper Chrysodeixis includens, the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera, and several other insect pests affecting major crops such as corn, cotton, soybean, beans, and rice. Beyond pest suppression, the development of novel bioinput formulations has led to additional agronomic benefits. Some products demonstrate the capacity to solubilize or enhance the availability of phosphate in soils, thereby improving nutrient uptake and root development. Others have been associated with increased drought tolerance in plants, offering resilience under climate stress. Collectively, these advances highlight the multifunctional role of bioinputs in sustainable agriculture and underscore their potential to reduce chemical pesticide dependence while improving crop productivity and stress adaptation.
International Seminar Programme
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