Ask The Expert
As you face challenges in the crop protection market, AgriBusiness Global DIRECT wants to get your questions answered from industry leaders. Here experts answer a few questions from the AgriBusiness Global community.
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James Maude
Senior Vice President, Portfolio Development
Acadian Plant Health
ABG: What are common mistakes you see happening for biostimulant companies trying to engage with multinational companies?
JM: Many biostimulant companies make bold claims, suggesting these products can solve all problems. Unfortunately, many claims are not backed by science or thoroughly tested and proven with research, and this has created skepticism with multinational companies. Companies not understanding the multinational companies’ technology and creating expectations on unoptimized technologies will fall short of market expectations and doesn’t provide meaningful value.
Derek Oliphant
Co-Founder
AgbioInvestor
ABG: Who do you see as leading the efforts in bioherbicides? Most companies are focused on yield enhancement and disease control, is that your perception as well? Secondly, are any of the companies working on traits for new modes of action in their mega herbicide-tolerant (HT) stacks?
DO: The main companies with involvement in the sector currently are Belchim and Sumitomo Chemical, while many of the majors are involved, particular through pelargonic acid, often in combination with glyphosate. Much of the short-term growth in bioherbicides from existing products is expected to be limited to specialty crops such as orchards, vineyard, and other fruits and vegetables, as well as in non-crop situations, with pelargonic acid and acetic acid being the main products currently. We expect further growth in the longer term when bioherbicides, including new products and advancements in formulation technology, effectively become field crop ready and area expansion and true chemical replacement can take place.
Currently, the market for biological products is more focused on insecticides and fungicides, however, there remains a strong requirement for effective bioherbicides in the market, and as such we expect R&D efforts to intensify in the coming years. This will also be driven by continuation and ramp-up in consolidation in the bio side of the crop protection industry, with this expected to accelerate in the coming years.
The first herbicide tolerant technologies in soybean were GM traits for tolerance to glufosinate and glyphosate, as well as non–GM ALS and STS tolerance. Since then, several new HT traits have been developed, namely providing tolerance to dicamba, 2,4-D, mesotrione and isoxaflutole. PPO herbicides, PPO tolerance traits and resulting seed products are currently being developed by Bayer/Sumitomo and BASF/Corteva.
Garry Mabon
Co-Founder
AgbioInvestor
ABG: Can you comment on the regulatory landscape for biostimulants in South America?
GM: As with other regions, there has been movement toward regulatory classification of biostimulants in some South American countries, often also under fertilizer legislation. As an example, Chile now has a biostimulant registration process that sets requirements for quality, composition, packaging, labeling etc., and has a register for companies operating in the space. Likewise, Brazil has regulatory categories for inoculants and stimulants or biofertilisers. Generally, this region’s regulations are understood to be less extreme than those set out recently in the EU. However, this could change as the market develops, and if countries aim to harmonize with the EU’s regulatory approaches.
Photo top
Dusan Kostic – stock.adobe.com
Photo of James Maude courtesy of Acadian Plant Health
Photo of Derek Oliphant courtesy of AgbioInvestor
Photo of Garry Mabon courtesy of Phil Mac Associates LLP
