What are bioprotection products, and how do they work?
Bioprotection products are nature-based solutions to managing crop pests and diseases. More and more growers are turning to environmentally sustainable crop pest and disease management solutions, such as bioprotection products. Reasons for choosing more sustainable solutions include pest and disease resistance to chemical pesticides and concerns for human health and the environment.
Regenerative agriculture: an alternative to tackle food security issues?
This article was originally published on CABI BioProtection Portal Conventional agriculture is depleting soil, harming biodiversity and contributing to climate change. These trends must be reversed, and in order to do so, agriculture must undergo a transformation. Regenerative agriculture offers a more sustainable way and has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. This…
Pesticides in tea: How can we manage tea pests more naturally, avoiding harmful chemicals?
On International Tea Day, we look at how we can reduce pesticides in tea. Tea is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world, after water. It’s estimated that people drink around three billion cups every day. But tea plantations are under threat from pests, and farmers must find effective ways to stop them.…
A more sustainable way for food production
As the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) is now underway in Montreal, Canada, until 19 December, we take a look at how the CABI BioProtection Portal can contribute towards a more biodiversity-friendly way to produce food and feed our growing planet.
Seek and destroy: use of nematodes for insect pest control
This article was originally published on the CABI BioProtection Portal blog. Visit the original blog post here. With many insecticides being banned from use in agriculture due to their harmful effects on users and the environment, nematodes can offer an effective alternative to controlling these insect pests. They are particularly useful in managing pests that are difficult to target…
5 advantages of biocontrol compared to chemical pest control
Advantages of biocontrol This article was originally published on the CABI BioProtection Portal blog. Visit the original blog post here. There are many advantages of biocontrol compared to chemical pest control. In this blog, we look at five of the main ones.
Bean fly – how to recognize, prevent and manage this common legume pest
This article was originally published on the CABI BioProtection Portal blog. Visit the original blog post here. Bean fly is a destructive pest of most food legumes, particularly common bean, cowpea, mungbean, blackgram, lima bean and soybean. Symptoms include yellow areas on leaf surfaces, leaf drop, lined marks on leaves and swollen and split stems.
Integrated pest management (IPM): managing crops with natural solutions
This article was originally published on the CABI BioProtection Portal blog. Visit the original blog post here. Integrated pest management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly approach to managing crops. “IPM is the careful consideration of all available pest control techniques”, the FAO describes on its website. Integrated pest management includes implementing various biological, chemical, physical and crop specific (cultural) techniques. This…
Selecting the right biopesticide or biocontrol product for your needs
This article was originally published on the CABI BioProtection Portal blog. Visit the original blog post here. Choosing a biopesticide or biocontrol product for managing a pest is about asking the right questions. Below we have compiled a simple list that will help you make the right choice, with the CABI BioProtection Portal to support and guide you.
Biological pest control – what is it?
This article was originally published on the CABI BioProtection Portal blog. Visit the original blog post here. Biological control (or ‘biocontrol’) is the use of living organisms and naturally sourced (or nature-identical) compounds to control pest and disease populations. The IBMA (International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association) defines biocontrol products as: