BioVENKO Launches First Microbiological Insecticide with Costa Rican Origin
Bio-VERIA 4 WP is the first microbiological insecticide with Costa Rican origin, registered by BioVENKO under RTCA 65.05.61:16.
BioVENKO is a company from Biotech group which leads innovation in the production of high-quality bioinputs through a unique bioprospecting approach via its germplasm bank. This process involves the extraction of microorganisms found in biodiversity and its identification, searching beneficial bacteria or fungus with high potential to enhance agricultural productivity and soil health. Thanks to its ability to quickly detect organisms in the field that are generating positive effects on crops and the land, BioVENKO ensures precise and effective solutions for modern agriculture.
This bioprospecting process is carried out with scientific rigor, beginning with the extraction of microorganisms from the natural matrix, followed by isolation, purification, and reproduction. Detailed identification is then performed, and both in vitro and field tests are conducted to verify the biocontrol effect of each strain. A key factor in the excellence of BioVENKO’s products is the storage of strains exactly as they are extracted from the field, preserving their natural properties and ensuring the effectiveness of the bioinputs. This comprehensive and specialized approach reaffirms BioVENKO’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in agriculture.
The development process of Bio-VERIA 4 WP began in 2012 with the isolation (of Costa Rican soil) and selection of a strain that was efficient to control different pests of agricultural importance. The effectiveness of the microorganism was demonstrated with in vitro (in the laboratory) and in vivo (in the field and greenhouse) tests. In parallel, efforts were initiated to scale up the cultivation of the microorganism at a productive level.
Insects of agronomic importance infected with spores of Beauveria bassiana strain B-12A (Bio-VERIA 4 WP). A: Thrips parvispinus, B: Anthonomus eugenii, C: Metamasius dimidiatipennis, D: Bemisia tabaci.
The registration belongs to the BioVENKO and was developed from a strain of the fungus Beauveria bassiana, isolated from a lepidopteran pest of the pineapple crop. This innovative product was formulated with advantages for field applications, since it is easily wettable, suspended in water, storage at room temperature, and preserves the viability and efficacy of the microbiological organism.
In addition, the product has toxicology and ecotoxicology analyses that demonstrate its safety for humans and non-target organisms, such as algae, fish, micro-crustaceans, birds and bees. Among the target insects to control you can find whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), armyworm (Spodoptera sp.), lepidopteran larvae like the pineapple fruit borer (Strymon megarus), and beetles, for example the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei).
Bio-VERIA 4 WP is one of the many efforts that BioVENKO will continue to work on to provide solutions to the most pressing issues in the agricultural sector. All of this is possible thanks to our team and our technologies, which are in constant evolution to create innovative products and other resources based on microorganisms stored in our germplasm bank.
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