Crop Protection

Ceradis granted OMRI Listed status for CeraFruta bio-fungicide

Ceradis Crop Protection B.V., a global developer and marketer of environmentally-friendly plant nutrition and crop protection solutions, has announced that its CeraFruta post-harvest biological fungicide is now listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute for... more »

First case seen of harmful bacteria in ubiquitous weed throughout US

Scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have recorded the first North American case of a harmful phytoplasma disease known for its threat to fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops in... more »

Biobest invests in biocontrol company Biopartner

Biopartner and Biobest Group announced on April 26 that Biobest has acquired a 60% stake in Biopartner. Biopartner is a distributor of biological plant protection products, bumblebees for pollination, fertilizers and biopesticides in the Polish... more »

John Deere forms joint venture with GUSS Automation

Deere & Co. has formed a joint venture with GUSS Automation LLC, in Kingsburg, California. GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System) is a pioneer in semi-autonomous orchard and vineyard sprayers. High-value crops (HVCs), such as orchards... more »

Bayer to create biologicals partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks

Bayer announced on April 22 that the company is pursuing an agreement whereby Ginkgo Bioworks will acquire Bayer’s West Sacramento Biologics research and development site and internal discovery and lead optimization platform. The contemplated transaction,... more »

Missouri growers urged to watch for spotted lanternfly

While not yet detected in Missouri, spotted lanternfly remains a concern for vineyards, certain trees and specialty crops as it continues to spread west. If spotted lanternfly (SLF) reaches Missouri, early detection and insecticide control... more »

Importation of peach live dormant stem cuttings from Spain viewed

The government of Spain has requested USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to authorize the importation of peach (Prunus persica) live dormant stem cuttings for planting from Spain into the continental United States. USDA's... more »

Botryosphaeria stem blight of blueberry a concern in Southeast

Recently, the number of Botryosphaeria stem blight infected blueberry bushes is increasing in Alabama farms. Blueberry stem blight (Botryosphaeria dothidea) is a fungal disease known as the primary disease limiting establishment of blueberry plantings in the Southeast. Pathogen... more »