Brazilian Institute Developing Bio-Pesticides For Cotton Crop

The Instituto Senai de Tecnologia (IST) in Brazil has partnered the Instituto Mato-grossense do Algodão (Ima-MT) to develop bio-pesticides which can be used for biological control of cotton crops.

The project named Agrobio-MT will contribute to integrated pest management through bio-pesticides for producing sustainable cotton, at a lower cost and less dependent on chemical pesticides.

The microorganisms used in the research are microbial strains extracted from the Ima-MT Extracts Laboratory and tests will be carried out on cotton crops in various cotton growing regions in Brazil.

The project is being financed by the Financier of Studies and Projects (Finep) which has invested Brazilian Real 2.8 million and the deadline for commercializing is 36 months.

The project’s strategy is combating bolls, caterpillars and nematodes all of which attack cotton crops.

According to Luciana Ferreira, head of the project at IST, the results of the project will generate a positive impact for the state, from economic, technological and environmental aspects.

“This initiative provides biological control in the cotton chain, promoting more sustainable and safe agriculture for the environment and human health,” Luciana Ferreira added.

“Furthermore, it encourages the preservation of local biodiversity, while boosting research and innovation in biotechnology and microbiology,” she stated.