A ATENS expande o TRICOTEN WP para o tratamento de sementes, promovendo a proteção biológica de cultivos em toda a Europa.
ATENS continues to advance biological crop protection with the extension of TRICOTEN WP’s approved uses to seed treatment. Based on the exclusive strain Trichoderma atrovirida AT10, this innovative biofungicide now offers a new application that combines protection from the earliest stages of crop development with compatibility with seed industry processes.
Trials conducted during its development have shown a reduction in disease incidence comparable to that achieved by the chemical reference products evaluated. These results support the potential of TRICOTEN WP as a competitive biological tool for early-stage maize protection.
Crop protection starts with the seed
Seed treatment is a strategic component of crop protection: it enables action from the very beginning of the growing cycle, placing the biocontrol solution directly alongside the seed and emerging roots. In maize, Pythium attacks during germination and emergence can compromise crop establishment. Protecting this stage is essential to maintaining plant populations and preserving yield potential.
The addition of TRICOTEN WP to this stage broadens the range of tools available to farmers and seed companies, making it possible to integrate biological protection from the outset of the crop cycle.
From biological efficacy to industrial application
For the seed industry, the challenge goes beyond identifying an effective microorganism. A solution must be compatible with seed treatment processes, ensure uniform distribution and maintain microorganism viability throughout drying and storage, right up to sowing.
The development of TRICOTEN WP addresses these requirements through the solid-state fermentation production of mature, stable spores of Trichoderma atrovirida AT10, together with a formulation designed to facilitate preparation, application and stability on treated seeds.
This approach bridges microbiological research and the requirements of industrial seed treatment, an essential step in bringing biocontrol into commercial-scale applications.
A development with European potential
The extension of approved uses, initially obtained in France, authorizes the treatment of maize seeds against Pythium, a pathogen that can compromise crop germination and emergence. This milestone provides a starting point for extending this application to other European markets through mutual recognition procedures and the relevant authorizations.
The significance of this development is particularly noteworthy given the importance of maize in European agriculture. According to Eurostat, the European Union produced nearly 59 million tonnes of maize in 2024, accounting for approximately 23% of its total cereal production. These figures highlight the importance of introducing new crop protection tools for a strategic crop used in animal feed and the agri-food industry.
With this development, ATENS strengthens its commitment to biological seed treatment and lays the foundations for progressively expanding TRICOTEN WP applications to new crops and markets, with the aim of bringing biological protection to a wider range of agricultural systems from sowing onwards.
Receba a Newsletter hoje mesmo!
