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Advertorial
NURTURE PRODUCTION.
Now you can give corn a competitive edge starting in the
furrow – the moment you plant your seed – with new Ethos®
XB insecticide/fungicide. It’s the first of its kind in-furrow
solution offering the broadest spectrum of corn seedling
defense against soil pests and diseases throughout the critical
growth stage when most yield potential is set.
Formulated with the patented Liquid Fertilizer Ready (LFR®)
technology from FMC, new Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide
combines the active ingredient of Capture® LFR® insecticide
with a broad-spectrum biopesticide.
The Biological Advantage
The Next Frontier in New Active Ingredient Discovery
Agricultural companies are harvesting the power of
nature to enhance crop production. Molecular biology
tools are allowing researchers to screen and census the
vast microbial populations in the soil and in plants. With
approximately 40 million bacterial cells in a gram of soil,
there is immense potential for new biological products.
“We see biologicals as the next frontier in active
ingredient discovery for crop protection,” says Rick Ekins,
portfolio manager for FMC. “Our biological strategy is
very specific. We are looking for new biocontrol products
with real activity on target pathogens. Beyond that, we
are looking at biostimulants as a means of improving our
market-leading brands to provide growers with greater
value.” FMC has launched three new biological solutions
for U.S. growers in the past 12 months: one for specialty
crops and two for use in corn.
New biological products from FMC include:
"TTVSFZPVSTFMGBUMFBTUNPSFQMBOUTBDSF
XJUI&UIPT9#*OTFDUJDJEF'VOHJDJEF
This convenient, integrated protection combined with liquid
fertilizer application creates an environment where seedlings
emerge more quickly, more uniformly and with the vigor
needed to optimize productivity.
We call it the Zone of Production™, and we back it with the
Corn Plant Stand Assurance Program. Talk with your retailer
about how you can help 1,000+ more seedlings per acre
come to life with Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide.
SPONSORED CONTENT
• Ethos® XB Insecticide/Fungicide, a formulation
containing bifenthrin and a biofungicide for corn,
integrates broad spectrum insect and disease
protection in patented LFR® technology. The
biofungicide in Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide
produces antifungal metabolites and colonizes roots,
forming a defensive barrier to pathogens.
• A co-pack of Capture® LFR® Insecticide plus
VGR™ Soil Amendment includes a biostimulant
that enhances water use efficiency, solubilizes
phosphorus and increases nutrient uptake.
Image shows VGR Soil Amendment bacteria
colonizing actively growing roots.
• Fracture® Fungicide, a biofungicide for specialty
crops with a unique multi-site mode of action, is the
only fungicide in the newly created FRAC Group M12.
It is an optimal resistance management tool and is
soft on beneficials.
2015 Biopesticide Market
Biofungicides
Bionematicides
Bioinsecticides
Others
Bioherbicides
FMC has created an end-to-end biological platform
that complements its traditional strength in synthetic
crop protection chemistries and formulation. “We have
a world-class discovery platform and micro-organism
library as well as a strategic alliance with Chr. Hansen,
one of the world’s foremost authorities on microbial
research and fermentation,” says Daniel van der Lelie, FMC
global director of agricultural biosolutions research and
development. “Biologicals will become an important part
of the sustainable growth of large-acre crops. We are on
the brink of making these biological products as robust as
synthetic chemicals.”
FMC conducts rigorous testing and selects specific
biological strains with growers’ return on investment in
mind. In multi-year trials, the biological offerings from
FMC for corn have increased yields on average more than
nine bushels per acre.
“I see widespread adoption of biological products
for seed treatments and in-furrow applications.
It just makes sense to put these living organisms
that have a symbiotic relationship with the roots
in the furrow to establish the crop and make it as
healthy and productive as possible.”
—Tim Damico, board of directors member, Biopesticide Industry Alliance
Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide and Capture LFR insecticide are Restricted Use Pesticides.
Always read and follow label directions. FMC, Ethos, Capture, LFR and Zone of Production are trademarks and Investing in farming’s future is a service mark
of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. © 2016 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 16-FMC-0339 04/16
Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide and Capture LFR insecticide are Restricted Use Pesticides.
VGR Soil Amendment is not a pesticide. Always read and follow label directions. FMC, Ethos, Fracture, VGR, Capture and LFR are trademarks and Investing in farming’s future is a service mark of FMC Corporation
or an affiliate. © 2016 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 16-FMC-0339 04/16
HIGH HOPES
PINNED ON
BIOLOGICALS
You may have heard them called biologicals or
biopesticides or soft chemicals. What’s included
under the EPA’s biopesticide umbrella, and how
important are they to plant health and the
industry?
By the EPA’s definition, biopesticides include
biochemical pesticides, microbial pesticides and
plant incorporated protectants (PIPs).
Biochemical pesticides are naturally occurring
substances or structurally similar synthetic substances that have a non-toxic mode of action to
the target pest and a history of safe exposure to
humans and the environment. Examples include
pheromones, plant regulators and desiccants.
Microbial pesticides are naturally occurring or
bioengineered microorganisms. Examples include
bacteria, fungi, viruses and bacteriophages.
Plant Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) are
pesticidal substances, like a protein, that are
produced by a genetically altered plant and
the genetic material needed to produce the
substance. An example is Bacillus thuringiensis,
also known as Bt transgenic crops which control insects.
WHY ARE BIOLOGICALS
IMPORTANT?
Biologicals are usually inherently less toxic
than conventional pesticides and generally affect only the target pest
and closely related organisms. In
contrast, broad spectrum, conventional pesticides may affect
non-target organisms.
“Biologicals often are effective
in very small quantities and
decompose quickly, resulting in less exposures to
non-target organisms,” said Robert McNally, US
EPA Director of Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention. “They are useful tools as components of
an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
because they can decrease the use of conventional pesticides and help maintain crop yields.”
BIOLOGICALS PIPELINE
A consistent amount of new active ingredients
(AIs) are coming through EPA’s door seeking registration. About 10 to 15 biologicals per year are
granted registration approvals compared to two
or three registrations for new AIs for conventional chemistry.
“Over the last 20 years, EPA has registered
more than 430 biological pesticide active ingredients and manages over 1,400 active products,”
said McNally.
The registration process for biologicals is also
shorter and less costly. The timeline for new biologicals is 19 months, while it’s 24 months
for conventional chemistries.
“The cost the applicant pays is
roughly $50,000 for biopesticides
and $600,000 for conventionals,”
McNally said. “Why is that? Biopesticides don’t require as much
data as the conventional world
because they are generally safer by nature. And
we want to provide an
incentive for people to
turn to these chemistries - the shorter
BEYOND PROTECTION,
time frame, less data, and less cost are incentives to
consider biopesticides.”
IMPACT AND FUTURE
OF BIOLOGICALS
“The impact of biologicals has yet to be fully realized; I think we’re on the forefront of what’s coming,” said Greg Tylka, professor and researcher in the
Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at
Iowa State University. “There’s a big effort in the scientific societies to explore the microbiome of the soil.
The microbiome represents all the microbes that live
in the soil. The belief is that there are many uncapped
applications which are hidden in the microbes living
in the soil that we know very little about.”
Tylka said he sees great promise in the microbiome,
but it’s going to take significant research to learn
what the microbes do in the soil and how we can use
that to promote crop growth.
“There’s more that we don’t know about the soil
and its microbes, than what we do know. Its viewed
scientifically as a frontier. There’s so much that’s
unknown,” he said. “It’s the same way with human
health - they have just discovered amazing numbers
and diversities of microbes in the human gut over the
past few years. And people like me who work with
plants and soil started thinking that the same thing is
probably happening below ground.”
Asked if traditional crop protection products will
eventually be replaced by biologicals, Tylka said effectiveness trumps everything, so he sees growers going
with what works the best and what’s the cheapest.
“I think there could be some surprisingly beneficial
applications that are to come out of the research on
microbes and biologicals,” Tylka said. “It might even
be new mechanisms for crop production and crop
protection. In other words, there might be beneficial
things happening that we haven’t even thought of
as possible in terms of mechanisms. We’re kind of
restricted or constricted by what we know has existed
up until this point. I think there could be some surprises. Everyone has high hopes for biologicals.”
Biocontrol Market Growth (Bn USD)
$9.00
$8.00
$7.00
$6.00
$5.00
$4.00
$3.00
$1.00
$0.00
Source: DunhamTrimmer LLC
Robert McNally, U.S. EPA director of biopesticides and pollution prevention, shares industry trends that are impacting the crop marketplace.
1. LARGER COMPANIES ENTERING
THE BIOLOGICALS MARKET
Multi-national companies have larger research and development budgets and are bringing specific benefits to the overall marketplace.
“In particular, larger companies raise the standards for the regulated
community,” McNally said. “These companies are the same size companies we deal with in the conventional chemistry world and in the
biotechnology world. They are very familiar with the regulatory landscape and what they have to do within it. The influx of larger companies along with medium- and smaller-sized firms promotes a more
diverse and innovative industry.”
Some larger companies are also buying the smaller biologicals companies or they’re starting their own biologicals units because they see
the many benefits to biopesticides.
2. MORE NON-ORGANIC GROWERS ARE
USING BIOLOGICALS
In recent years, biologicals have been used more often by organic producers, but now more and more non-organic growers are using biologicals in rotation with conventional crop-protection chemistries.
“Biopesticides offer a tool to delay resistance which might accompany the overuse of conventional pesticides,” he said. “A large company might have a menu of conventional pesticides and biopesticides
for use. In an effort to try and meet the needs of the marketplace, biopesticide companies’ strategies have evolved past just offering organic
growers biopesticides and have opened this market to non-organic
growers.”
3. INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY MARKET
FOR BIOPESTICIDES
EPA recently met with officials in the Netherlands who are currently in
a leadership position managing pesticides in the EU. The Netherlands
team wanted to learn how the U.S. has run its biologicals program
over the last 20 years.
“This is important to U.S. growers and companies who may be interested in having their products exported overseas,” McNally noted.
“Having some sort of consistency in the biopesticide space internationally, in terms of what we regulate and how we regulate, will become
increasingly important for American growers.”
4. POTENTIAL NEED FOR TOLERANCES
$2.00
Year 2010
TOP FIVE TRENDS
FOR BIOLOGICALS
Year 2015
Year 2020
Year 2025
In the conventional world, tolerance levels are frequently set, and
they’re considered vital for the movement of agricultural products in
commerce. A tolerance might be 1 part per million of biopesticide X
on tomatoes. Italy might have the same tolerance for a product that
the U.S. has; therefore,
there are no trade barriers. However, if the
U.S. and Italy have different tolerance levels,
or one nation had a tolerance and the other did
not have a tolerance, that
might present a trade issue.
“Historically, I’d say 99.9% of
the biopesticides are registered with a
tolerance exemption,” he said.
A tolerance exemption means that any likely biopesticide residues
found on fruits or vegetables are not of concern. This can be very valuable for growers in meeting the needs of the domestic marketplace.
“The reason we would establish a tolerance is that there are data
that may suggest a particular pesticide might have a health end
point—something that, in theory, could constitute a problem if an
adult or child were exposed at a high enough level,” he said.
The basis of setting the tolerance simply says if you apply the pesticide at a specific label rate to a crop, then the residue on the food
should not exceed a certain level—the tolerance. And by the time the
fruit or vegetable reaches the dinner table, the residue levels are generally much lower, perhaps not even measureable, and they don’t present any kind of a health risk.
“In recent years, establishing tolerances for some biopesticides,
rather than tolerance exemptions, has become more of a possibility
and this trend may continue,” McNally noted. “Although tolerance
exemptions are likely helpful for marketing ag products domestically,
having a tolerance that is harmonized internationally with trading
partners may foster more trade overseas.”
5. GROWTH IN PLANT BIOSTIMULANTS SECTOR
Biostimulants are not traditional pesticides known to kill or mitigate a
pest, like an insecticide or a fungicide. Conversely, they are not a fertilizer that provides nutrition. They are somewhere in between.
“A biostimulant is put on a crop, usually at a very low rate, and is
used to enhance the plant’s vitality. A few examples are products containing seaweed extract or kelp,” McNally said. “From an environmental perspective, biostimulants are good because they may enhance the
vitality of the plant, which may have environmental benefits such as
limiting the amount of water or traditional pesticides needed.”
McNally said biostimulants may need to be regulated, perhaps only in
a limited way, and EPA plans to provide guidance later in 2016 to clarify expectations for the regulated community.
“The EU just recently came out with their policy, and a lot of people
in the U.S. are looking to that document to try and get a sense of how
the EPA might view similar types of products,” he said.
COLLABORATIVE R&D
DRIVES BIOLOGICAL
DISCOVERY AND PROGRESS
tle factories to make natural products that then are
being used as a biological product for application,”
van der Lelie said.
In 2015, FMC paired traditional crop protection
chemistry, Capture® LFR® insecticide, with new
VGR™ soil amendment, a biological compound.
Applied as dormant spores during planting, spores
hatch, actively grow and colonize the rhizosphere to
promote plant growth and enhance yield.
“It is really like a concert - you have the plants and
the microorganisms, and there is a synergy between
them. The plant will tell the microbes what it needs,
and the microbes will tell the plant what they need,
and it’s a continuous exchange of information or a
THE R&D PERSPECTIVE
dialogue,” he said. “The microbes can do many things
There are two basic classes that biologicals fall into:
to directly affect their host plant, like priming the
living cells that associate with their plant host and
immune system to defend itself or helping the plant
synthesize secondary metabolites, or products that
get better access to certain nutrients, like phosphoare based on microbial metabolites that are prorous, nitrogen or potassium.”
duced during fermentation.
VGR™ soil amendment affects the plant’s water
“You can either look at biologicals as the active
management. Under drought conditions, it signals the
cells of microorganisms that live in close association
plant to more efficiently use available water resources.
with plants, or you can think of biologicals as litSome microorganisms,
like Bacillus subtilis,
produce a collection
of molecules that are
active against a range of
pathogens. These microorganisms are grown in
big tanks and during this
fermentation process the
metabolites that are the
active ingredients are
harvested and applied for
plant protection; the live
cells are not needed in
the field.
“It’s similar to plant
extract
based products,
The process for a new microorganism for
where
the
plant is the proagricultural use is developed in small scale
fermenters and optimized for bioactivity.
ducer of your active ingrePhoto Courtesy of Chr. Hansen
dients and an extraction
yields the metabolites. It’s
the metabolites that are
With rising pressures on food production, the agricultural industry is looking to biologicals to play an
important role in fighting pests while complementing traditional chemistry programs.
“Biologicals allow growers to offer new modes
of action and viable alternatives to traditional
chemistries,” said Daniel van der Lelie, FMC Global
Director of Biosolutions R&D. “Demand for biological solutions is rapidly increasing, driven by public
perceptions, increasing resistance to current modes
of action and the desire for improved environmental profiles.”
important and that’s what you apply,”
noted van der Lelie.
DISCOVERING AND
DEVELOPING NEW STRAINS
Different strains of microbes play different
roles in crop protection. Certain microorganisms, like Bacillus licheniformis, help
the plant to grow better and overcome
stressful situations. Using a completely different mode of action, Bacillus thuringiensis has been used for more than 100 years
for insect control. And strains like Bacillus
amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis can
produce a suite of secondary metabolites
with antagonistic properties to control
plant diseases.
“We want to find superior strains that
Pilot scale fermentations are used to produce
have somehow adapted to be better at
material for field trials and optimize growth
producing metabolites,” he said. “Our
of the microorganism before the process is
discovery platform is built to identify
transferred to full-scale production.
new-to-the-world species that produce
Photo Courtesy of Chr. Hansen
previously unknown active ingredients.”
FMC’s Biologicals Discovery team has
isolated a large suite of plant-associated
bacteria for study, determining their potential
van der Lelie said.
beneficial performance through an advanced
When FMC started collaborating with Chr.
screening process. Bacterial strains that show
Hansen on biologicals for plant health, the focus
promise then progress into more extensive greenwas on biostimulants and biofungicides, but now
house and field screenings, before moving into
exploration has expanded to include bioinsectilarge-scale field trials.
cides and bionematicides.
“One of the key aspects of this alliance is the
speed
between initial discovery of lead strains
ALLIANCE WITH CHR. HANSEN
and
bringing
them into a commercial product,”
In 2013, FMC entered into a strategic alliance with
he said. “The concept of VGR for instance came
Chr. Hansen that brought together three areas
up in late-2013 and early 2014 and two years
of expertise – a world class research and discovlater, it’s a commercial product. With traditional
ery platform, unparalleled capabilities in strain
chemistries the process is typically closer to
production, optimization and fermentation, and
10 years.”
FMC’s abilities to develop, field test, market and
distribute new products.
Capture LFR Insecticide is a Restricted Use Pesticide. VGR
“The FMC model successfully utilizes the best
Soil Amendment is not a pesticide. Always read and follow
expertise in the industry, and this model has now
label directions. Capture, LFR, VGR and FMC are trademarks
been copied by other companies and industry
of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2016 FMC Corporation. All
leaders to optimize every aspect of the chain,”
rights reserved. 04/16
time frame, less data, and less cost are incentives to
consider biopesticides.”
IMPACT AND FUTURE
OF BIOLOGICALS
“The impact of biologicals has yet to be fully realized; I think we’re on the forefront of what’s coming,” said Greg Tylka, professor and researcher in the
Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at
Iowa State University. “There’s a big effort in the scientific societies to explore the microbiome of the soil.
The microbiome represents all the microbes that live
in the soil. The belief is that there are many uncapped
applications which are hidden in the microbes living
in the soil that we know very little about.”
Tylka said he sees great promise in the microbiome,
but it’s going to take significant research to learn
what the microbes do in the soil and how we can use
that to promote crop growth.
“There’s more that we don’t know about the soil
and its microbes, than what we do know. Its viewed
scientifically as a frontier. There’s so much that’s
unknown,” he said. “It’s the same way with human
health - they have just discovered amazing numbers
and diversities of microbes in the human gut over the
past few years. And people like me who work with
plants and soil started thinking that the same thing is
probably happening below ground.”
Asked if traditional crop protection products will
eventually be replaced by biologicals, Tylka said effectiveness trumps everything, so he sees growers going
with what works the best and what’s the cheapest.
“I think there could be some surprisingly beneficial
applications that are to come out of the research on
microbes and biologicals,” Tylka said. “It might even
be new mechanisms for crop production and crop
protection. In other words, there might be beneficial
things happening that we haven’t even thought of
as possible in terms of mechanisms. We’re kind of
restricted or constricted by what we know has existed
up until this point. I think there could be some surprises. Everyone has high hopes for biologicals.”
Biocontrol Market Growth (Bn USD)
$9.00
$8.00
$7.00
$6.00
$5.00
$4.00
$3.00
$1.00
$0.00
Source: DunhamTrimmer LLC
Robert McNally, U.S. EPA director of biopesticides and pollution prevention, shares industry trends that are impacting the crop marketplace.
1. LARGER COMPANIES ENTERING
THE BIOLOGICALS MARKET
Multi-national companies have larger research and development budgets and are bringing specific benefits to the overall marketplace.
“In particular, larger companies raise the standards for the regulated
community,” McNally said. “These companies are the same size companies we deal with in the conventional chemistry world and in the
biotechnology world. They are very familiar with the regulatory landscape and what they have to do within it. The influx of larger companies along with medium- and smaller-sized firms promotes a more
diverse and innovative industry.”
Some larger companies are also buying the smaller biologicals companies or they’re starting their own biologicals units because they see
the many benefits to biopesticides.
2. MORE NON-ORGANIC GROWERS ARE
USING BIOLOGICALS
In recent years, biologicals have been used more often by organic producers, but now more and more non-organic growers are using biologicals in rotation with conventional crop-protection chemistries.
“Biopesticides offer a tool to delay resistance which might accompany the overuse of conventional pesticides,” he said. “A large company might have a menu of conventional pesticides and biopesticides
for use. In an effort to try and meet the needs of the marketplace, biopesticide companies’ strategies have evolved past just offering organic
growers biopesticides and have opened this market to non-organic
growers.”
3. INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY MARKET
FOR BIOPESTICIDES
EPA recently met with officials in the Netherlands who are currently in
a leadership position managing pesticides in the EU. The Netherlands
team wanted to learn how the U.S. has run its biologicals program
over the last 20 years.
“This is important to U.S. growers and companies who may be interested in having their products exported overseas,” McNally noted.
“Having some sort of consistency in the biopesticide space internationally, in terms of what we regulate and how we regulate, will become
increasingly important for American growers.”
4. POTENTIAL NEED FOR TOLERANCES
$2.00
Year 2010
TOP FIVE TRENDS
FOR BIOLOGICALS
Year 2015
Year 2020
Year 2025
In the conventional world, tolerance levels are frequently set, and
they’re considered vital for the movement of agricultural products in
commerce. A tolerance might be 1 part per million of biopesticide X
on tomatoes. Italy might have the same tolerance for a product that
the U.S. has; therefore,
there are no trade barriers. However, if the
U.S. and Italy have different tolerance levels,
or one nation had a tolerance and the other did
not have a tolerance, that
might present a trade issue.
“Historically, I’d say 99.9% of
the biopesticides are registered with a
tolerance exemption,” he said.
A tolerance exemption means that any likely biopesticide residues
found on fruits or vegetables are not of concern. This can be very valuable for growers in meeting the needs of the domestic marketplace.
“The reason we would establish a tolerance is that there are data
that may suggest a particular pesticide might have a health end
point—something that, in theory, could constitute a problem if an
adult or child were exposed at a high enough level,” he said.
The basis of setting the tolerance simply says if you apply the pesticide at a specific label rate to a crop, then the residue on the food
should not exceed a certain level—the tolerance. And by the time the
fruit or vegetable reaches the dinner table, the residue levels are generally much lower, perhaps not even measureable, and they don’t present any kind of a health risk.
“In recent years, establishing tolerances for some biopesticides,
rather than tolerance exemptions, has become more of a possibility
and this trend may continue,” McNally noted. “Although tolerance
exemptions are likely helpful for marketing ag products domestically,
having a tolerance that is harmonized internationally with trading
partners may foster more trade overseas.”
5. GROWTH IN PLANT BIOSTIMULANTS SECTOR
Biostimulants are not traditional pesticides known to kill or mitigate a
pest, like an insecticide or a fungicide. Conversely, they are not a fertilizer that provides nutrition. They are somewhere in between.
“A biostimulant is put on a crop, usually at a very low rate, and is
used to enhance the plant’s vitality. A few examples are products containing seaweed extract or kelp,” McNally said. “From an environmental perspective, biostimulants are good because they may enhance the
vitality of the plant, which may have environmental benefits such as
limiting the amount of water or traditional pesticides needed.”
McNally said biostimulants may need to be regulated, perhaps only in
a limited way, and EPA plans to provide guidance later in 2016 to clarify expectations for the regulated community.
“The EU just recently came out with their policy, and a lot of people
in the U.S. are looking to that document to try and get a sense of how
the EPA might view similar types of products,” he said.
COLLABORATIVE R&D
DRIVES BIOLOGICAL
DISCOVERY AND PROGRESS
tle factories to make natural products that then are
being used as a biological product for application,”
van der Lelie said.
In 2015, FMC paired traditional crop protection
chemistry, Capture® LFR® insecticide, with new
VGR™ soil amendment, a biological compound.
Applied as dormant spores during planting, spores
hatch, actively grow and colonize the rhizosphere to
promote plant growth and enhance yield.
“It is really like a concert - you have the plants and
the microorganisms, and there is a synergy between
them. The plant will tell the microbes what it needs,
and the microbes will tell the plant what they need,
and it’s a continuous exchange of information or a
THE R&D PERSPECTIVE
dialogue,” he said. “The microbes can do many things
There are two basic classes that biologicals fall into:
to directly affect their host plant, like priming the
living cells that associate with their plant host and
immune system to defend itself or helping the plant
synthesize secondary metabolites, or products that
get better access to certain nutrients, like phosphoare based on microbial metabolites that are prorous, nitrogen or potassium.”
duced during fermentation.
VGR™ soil amendment affects the plant’s water
“You can either look at biologicals as the active
management. Under drought conditions, it signals the
cells of microorganisms that live in close association
plant to more efficiently use available water resources.
with plants, or you can think of biologicals as litSome microorganisms,
like Bacillus subtilis,
produce a collection
of molecules that are
active against a range of
pathogens. These microorganisms are grown in
big tanks and during this
fermentation process the
metabolites that are the
active ingredients are
harvested and applied for
plant protection; the live
cells are not needed in
the field.
“It’s similar to plant
extract
based products,
The process for a new microorganism for
where
the
plant is the proagricultural use is developed in small scale
fermenters and optimized for bioactivity.
ducer of your active ingrePhoto Courtesy of Chr. Hansen
dients and an extraction
yields the metabolites. It’s
the metabolites that are
With rising pressures on food production, the agricultural industry is looking to biologicals to play an
important role in fighting pests while complementing traditional chemistry programs.
“Biologicals allow growers to offer new modes
of action and viable alternatives to traditional
chemistries,” said Daniel van der Lelie, FMC Global
Director of Biosolutions R&D. “Demand for biological solutions is rapidly increasing, driven by public
perceptions, increasing resistance to current modes
of action and the desire for improved environmental profiles.”
important and that’s what you apply,”
noted van der Lelie.
DISCOVERING AND
DEVELOPING NEW STRAINS
Different strains of microbes play different
roles in crop protection. Certain microorganisms, like Bacillus licheniformis, help
the plant to grow better and overcome
stressful situations. Using a completely different mode of action, Bacillus thuringiensis has been used for more than 100 years
for insect control. And strains like Bacillus
amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis can
produce a suite of secondary metabolites
with antagonistic properties to control
plant diseases.
“We want to find superior strains that
Pilot scale fermentations are used to produce
have somehow adapted to be better at
material for field trials and optimize growth
producing metabolites,” he said. “Our
of the microorganism before the process is
discovery platform is built to identify
transferred to full-scale production.
new-to-the-world species that produce
Photo Courtesy of Chr. Hansen
previously unknown active ingredients.”
FMC’s Biologicals Discovery team has
isolated a large suite of plant-associated
bacteria for study, determining their potential
van der Lelie said.
beneficial performance through an advanced
When FMC started collaborating with Chr.
screening process. Bacterial strains that show
Hansen on biologicals for plant health, the focus
promise then progress into more extensive greenwas on biostimulants and biofungicides, but now
house and field screenings, before moving into
exploration has expanded to include bioinsectilarge-scale field trials.
cides and bionematicides.
“One of the key aspects of this alliance is the
speed
between initial discovery of lead strains
ALLIANCE WITH CHR. HANSEN
and
bringing
them into a commercial product,”
In 2013, FMC entered into a strategic alliance with
he said. “The concept of VGR for instance came
Chr. Hansen that brought together three areas
up in late-2013 and early 2014 and two years
of expertise – a world class research and discovlater, it’s a commercial product. With traditional
ery platform, unparalleled capabilities in strain
chemistries the process is typically closer to
production, optimization and fermentation, and
10 years.”
FMC’s abilities to develop, field test, market and
distribute new products.
Capture LFR Insecticide is a Restricted Use Pesticide. VGR
“The FMC model successfully utilizes the best
Soil Amendment is not a pesticide. Always read and follow
expertise in the industry, and this model has now
label directions. Capture, LFR, VGR and FMC are trademarks
been copied by other companies and industry
of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2016 FMC Corporation. All
leaders to optimize every aspect of the chain,”
rights reserved. 04/16
Advertorial
NURTURE PRODUCTION.
Now you can give corn a competitive edge starting in the
furrow – the moment you plant your seed – with new Ethos®
XB insecticide/fungicide. It’s the first of its kind in-furrow
solution offering the broadest spectrum of corn seedling
defense against soil pests and diseases throughout the critical
growth stage when most yield potential is set.
Formulated with the patented Liquid Fertilizer Ready (LFR®)
technology from FMC, new Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide
combines the active ingredient of Capture® LFR® insecticide
with a broad-spectrum biopesticide.
The Biological Advantage
The Next Frontier in New Active Ingredient Discovery
Agricultural companies are harvesting the power of
nature to enhance crop production. Molecular biology
tools are allowing researchers to screen and census the
vast microbial populations in the soil and in plants. With
approximately 40 million bacterial cells in a gram of soil,
there is immense potential for new biological products.
“We see biologicals as the next frontier in active
ingredient discovery for crop protection,” says Rick Ekins,
portfolio manager for FMC. “Our biological strategy is
very specific. We are looking for new biocontrol products
with real activity on target pathogens. Beyond that, we
are looking at biostimulants as a means of improving our
market-leading brands to provide growers with greater
value.” FMC has launched three new biological solutions
for U.S. growers in the past 12 months: one for specialty
crops and two for use in corn.
New biological products from FMC include:
"TTVSFZPVSTFMGBUMFBTUNPSFQMBOUTBDSF
XJUI&UIPT9#*OTFDUJDJEF'VOHJDJEF
This convenient, integrated protection combined with liquid
fertilizer application creates an environment where seedlings
emerge more quickly, more uniformly and with the vigor
needed to optimize productivity.
We call it the Zone of Production™, and we back it with the
Corn Plant Stand Assurance Program. Talk with your retailer
about how you can help 1,000+ more seedlings per acre
come to life with Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide.
SPONSORED CONTENT
• Ethos® XB Insecticide/Fungicide, a formulation
containing bifenthrin and a biofungicide for corn,
integrates broad spectrum insect and disease
protection in patented LFR® technology. The
biofungicide in Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide
produces antifungal metabolites and colonizes roots,
forming a defensive barrier to pathogens.
• A co-pack of Capture® LFR® Insecticide plus
VGR™ Soil Amendment includes a biostimulant
that enhances water use efficiency, solubilizes
phosphorus and increases nutrient uptake.
Image shows VGR Soil Amendment bacteria
colonizing actively growing roots.
• Fracture® Fungicide, a biofungicide for specialty
crops with a unique multi-site mode of action, is the
only fungicide in the newly created FRAC Group M12.
It is an optimal resistance management tool and is
soft on beneficials.
2015 Biopesticide Market
Biofungicides
Bionematicides
Bioinsecticides
Others
Bioherbicides
FMC has created an end-to-end biological platform
that complements its traditional strength in synthetic
crop protection chemistries and formulation. “We have
a world-class discovery platform and micro-organism
library as well as a strategic alliance with Chr. Hansen,
one of the world’s foremost authorities on microbial
research and fermentation,” says Daniel van der Lelie, FMC
global director of agricultural biosolutions research and
development. “Biologicals will become an important part
of the sustainable growth of large-acre crops. We are on
the brink of making these biological products as robust as
synthetic chemicals.”
FMC conducts rigorous testing and selects specific
biological strains with growers’ return on investment in
mind. In multi-year trials, the biological offerings from
FMC for corn have increased yields on average more than
nine bushels per acre.
“I see widespread adoption of biological products
for seed treatments and in-furrow applications.
It just makes sense to put these living organisms
that have a symbiotic relationship with the roots
in the furrow to establish the crop and make it as
healthy and productive as possible.”
—Tim Damico, board of directors member, Biopesticide Industry Alliance
Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide and Capture LFR insecticide are Restricted Use Pesticides.
Always read and follow label directions. FMC, Ethos, Capture, LFR and Zone of Production are trademarks and Investing in farming’s future is a service mark
of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. © 2016 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 16-FMC-0339 04/16
Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide and Capture LFR insecticide are Restricted Use Pesticides.
VGR Soil Amendment is not a pesticide. Always read and follow label directions. FMC, Ethos, Fracture, VGR, Capture and LFR are trademarks and Investing in farming’s future is a service mark of FMC Corporation
or an affiliate. © 2016 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 16-FMC-0339 04/16
HIGH HOPES
PINNED ON
BIOLOGICALS
You may have heard them called biologicals or
biopesticides or soft chemicals. What’s included
under the EPA’s biopesticide umbrella, and how
important are they to plant health and the
industry?
By the EPA’s definition, biopesticides include
biochemical pesticides, microbial pesticides and
plant incorporated protectants (PIPs).
Biochemical pesticides are naturally occurring
substances or structurally similar synthetic substances that have a non-toxic mode of action to
the target pest and a history of safe exposure to
humans and the environment. Examples include
pheromones, plant regulators and desiccants.
Microbial pesticides are naturally occurring or
bioengineered microorganisms. Examples include
bacteria, fungi, viruses and bacteriophages.
Plant Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) are
pesticidal substances, like a protein, that are
produced by a genetically altered plant and
the genetic material needed to produce the
substance. An example is Bacillus thuringiensis,
also known as Bt transgenic crops which control insects.
WHY ARE BIOLOGICALS
IMPORTANT?
Biologicals are usually inherently less toxic
than conventional pesticides and generally affect only the target pest
and closely related organisms. In
contrast, broad spectrum, conventional pesticides may affect
non-target organisms.
“Biologicals often are effective
in very small quantities and
decompose quickly, resulting in less exposures to
non-target organisms,” said Robert McNally, US
EPA Director of Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention. “They are useful tools as components of
an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
because they can decrease the use of conventional pesticides and help maintain crop yields.”
BIOLOGICALS PIPELINE
A consistent amount of new active ingredients
(AIs) are coming through EPA’s door seeking registration. About 10 to 15 biologicals per year are
granted registration approvals compared to two
or three registrations for new AIs for conventional chemistry.
“Over the last 20 years, EPA has registered
more than 430 biological pesticide active ingredients and manages over 1,400 active products,”
said McNally.
The registration process for biologicals is also
shorter and less costly. The timeline for new biologicals is 19 months, while it’s 24 months
for conventional chemistries.
“The cost the applicant pays is
roughly $50,000 for biopesticides
and $600,000 for conventionals,”
McNally said. “Why is that? Biopesticides don’t require as much
data as the conventional world
because they are generally safer by nature. And
we want to provide an
incentive for people to
turn to these chemistries - the shorter
BEYOND PROTECTION,
Advertorial
NURTURE PRODUCTION.
Now you can give corn a competitive edge starting in the
furrow – the moment you plant your seed – with new Ethos®
XB insecticide/fungicide. It’s the first of its kind in-furrow
solution offering the broadest spectrum of corn seedling
defense against soil pests and diseases throughout the critical
growth stage when most yield potential is set.
Formulated with the patented Liquid Fertilizer Ready (LFR®)
technology from FMC, new Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide
combines the active ingredient of Capture® LFR® insecticide
with a broad-spectrum biopesticide.
The Biological Advantage
The Next Frontier in New Active Ingredient Discovery
Agricultural companies are harvesting the power of
nature to enhance crop production. Molecular biology
tools are allowing researchers to screen and census the
vast microbial populations in the soil and in plants. With
approximately 40 million bacterial cells in a gram of soil,
there is immense potential for new biological products.
“We see biologicals as the next frontier in active
ingredient discovery for crop protection,” says Rick Ekins,
portfolio manager for FMC. “Our biological strategy is
very specific. We are looking for new biocontrol products
with real activity on target pathogens. Beyond that, we
are looking at biostimulants as a means of improving our
market-leading brands to provide growers with greater
value.” FMC has launched three new biological solutions
for U.S. growers in the past 12 months: one for specialty
crops and two for use in corn.
New biological products from FMC include:
"TTVSFZPVSTFMGBUMFBTUNPSFQMBOUTBDSF
XJUI&UIPT9#*OTFDUJDJEF'VOHJDJEF
This convenient, integrated protection combined with liquid
fertilizer application creates an environment where seedlings
emerge more quickly, more uniformly and with the vigor
needed to optimize productivity.
We call it the Zone of Production™, and we back it with the
Corn Plant Stand Assurance Program. Talk with your retailer
about how you can help 1,000+ more seedlings per acre
come to life with Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide.
SPONSORED CONTENT
• Ethos® XB Insecticide/Fungicide, a formulation
containing bifenthrin and a biofungicide for corn,
integrates broad spectrum insect and disease
protection in patented LFR® technology. The
biofungicide in Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide
produces antifungal metabolites and colonizes roots,
forming a defensive barrier to pathogens.
• A co-pack of Capture® LFR® Insecticide plus
VGR™ Soil Amendment includes a biostimulant
that enhances water use efficiency, solubilizes
phosphorus and increases nutrient uptake.
Image shows VGR Soil Amendment bacteria
colonizing actively growing roots.
• Fracture® Fungicide, a biofungicide for specialty
crops with a unique multi-site mode of action, is the
only fungicide in the newly created FRAC Group M12.
It is an optimal resistance management tool and is
soft on beneficials.
2015 Biopesticide Market
Biofungicides
Bionematicides
Bioinsecticides
Others
Bioherbicides
FMC has created an end-to-end biological platform
that complements its traditional strength in synthetic
crop protection chemistries and formulation. “We have
a world-class discovery platform and micro-organism
library as well as a strategic alliance with Chr. Hansen,
one of the world’s foremost authorities on microbial
research and fermentation,” says Daniel van der Lelie, FMC
global director of agricultural biosolutions research and
development. “Biologicals will become an important part
of the sustainable growth of large-acre crops. We are on
the brink of making these biological products as robust as
synthetic chemicals.”
FMC conducts rigorous testing and selects specific
biological strains with growers’ return on investment in
mind. In multi-year trials, the biological offerings from
FMC for corn have increased yields on average more than
nine bushels per acre.
“I see widespread adoption of biological products
for seed treatments and in-furrow applications.
It just makes sense to put these living organisms
that have a symbiotic relationship with the roots
in the furrow to establish the crop and make it as
healthy and productive as possible.”
—Tim Damico, board of directors member, Biopesticide Industry Alliance
Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide and Capture LFR insecticide are Restricted Use Pesticides.
Always read and follow label directions. FMC, Ethos, Capture, LFR and Zone of Production are trademarks and Investing in farming’s future is a service mark
of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. © 2016 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 16-FMC-0339 04/16
Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide and Capture LFR insecticide are Restricted Use Pesticides.
VGR Soil Amendment is not a pesticide. Always read and follow label directions. FMC, Ethos, Fracture, VGR, Capture and LFR are trademarks and Investing in farming’s future is a service mark of FMC Corporation
or an affiliate. © 2016 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 16-FMC-0339 04/16
HIGH HOPES
PINNED ON
BIOLOGICALS
You may have heard them called biologicals or
biopesticides or soft chemicals. What’s included
under the EPA’s biopesticide umbrella, and how
important are they to plant health and the
industry?
By the EPA’s definition, biopesticides include
biochemical pesticides, microbial pesticides and
plant incorporated protectants (PIPs).
Biochemical pesticides are naturally occurring
substances or structurally similar synthetic substances that have a non-toxic mode of action to
the target pest and a history of safe exposure to
humans and the environment. Examples include
pheromones, plant regulators and desiccants.
Microbial pesticides are naturally occurring or
bioengineered microorganisms. Examples include
bacteria, fungi, viruses and bacteriophages.
Plant Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) are
pesticidal substances, like a protein, that are
produced by a genetically altered plant and
the genetic material needed to produce the
substance. An example is Bacillus thuringiensis,
also known as Bt transgenic crops which control insects.
WHY ARE BIOLOGICALS
IMPORTANT?
Biologicals are usually inherently less toxic
than conventional pesticides and generally affect only the target pest
and closely related organisms. In
contrast, broad spectrum, conventional pesticides may affect
non-target organisms.
“Biologicals often are effective
in very small quantities and
decompose quickly, resulting in less exposures to
non-target organisms,” said Robert McNally, US
EPA Director of Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention. “They are useful tools as components of
an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
because they can decrease the use of conventional pesticides and help maintain crop yields.”
BIOLOGICALS PIPELINE
A consistent amount of new active ingredients
(AIs) are coming through EPA’s door seeking registration. About 10 to 15 biologicals per year are
granted registration approvals compared to two
or three registrations for new AIs for conventional chemistry.
“Over the last 20 years, EPA has registered
more than 430 biological pesticide active ingredients and manages over 1,400 active products,”
said McNally.
The registration process for biologicals is also
shorter and less costly. The timeline for new biologicals is 19 months, while it’s 24 months
for conventional chemistries.
“The cost the applicant pays is
roughly $50,000 for biopesticides
and $600,000 for conventionals,”
McNally said. “Why is that? Biopesticides don’t require as much
data as the conventional world
because they are generally safer by nature. And
we want to provide an
incentive for people to
turn to these chemistries - the shorter
BEYOND PROTECTION,
Advertorial
NURTURE PRODUCTION.
Now you can give corn a competitive edge starting in the
furrow – the moment you plant your seed – with new Ethos®
XB insecticide/fungicide. It’s the first of its kind in-furrow
solution offering the broadest spectrum of corn seedling
defense against soil pests and diseases throughout the critical
growth stage when most yield potential is set.
Formulated with the patented Liquid Fertilizer Ready (LFR®)
technology from FMC, new Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide
combines the active ingredient of Capture® LFR® insecticide
with a broad-spectrum biopesticide.
The Biological Advantage
The Next Frontier in New Active Ingredient Discovery
Agricultural companies are harvesting the power of
nature to enhance crop production. Molecular biology
tools are allowing researchers to screen and census the
vast microbial populations in the soil and in plants. With
approximately 40 million bacterial cells in a gram of soil,
there is immense potential for new biological products.
“We see biologicals as the next frontier in active
ingredient discovery for crop protection,” says Rick Ekins,
portfolio manager for FMC. “Our biological strategy is
very specific. We are looking for new biocontrol products
with real activity on target pathogens. Beyond that, we
are looking at biostimulants as a means of improving our
market-leading brands to provide growers with greater
value.” FMC has launched three new biological solutions
for U.S. growers in the past 12 months: one for specialty
crops and two for use in corn.
New biological products from FMC include:
"TTVSFZPVSTFMGBUMFBTUNPSFQMBOUTBDSF
XJUI&UIPT9#*OTFDUJDJEF'VOHJDJEF
This convenient, integrated protection combined with liquid
fertilizer application creates an environment where seedlings
emerge more quickly, more uniformly and with the vigor
needed to optimize productivity.
We call it the Zone of Production™, and we back it with the
Corn Plant Stand Assurance Program. Talk with your retailer
about how you can help 1,000+ more seedlings per acre
come to life with Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide.
SPONSORED CONTENT
• Ethos® XB Insecticide/Fungicide, a formulation
containing bifenthrin and a biofungicide for corn,
integrates broad spectrum insect and disease
protection in patented LFR® technology. The
biofungicide in Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide
produces antifungal metabolites and colonizes roots,
forming a defensive barrier to pathogens.
• A co-pack of Capture® LFR® Insecticide plus
VGR™ Soil Amendment includes a biostimulant
that enhances water use efficiency, solubilizes
phosphorus and increases nutrient uptake.
Image shows VGR Soil Amendment bacteria
colonizing actively growing roots.
• Fracture® Fungicide, a biofungicide for specialty
crops with a unique multi-site mode of action, is the
only fungicide in the newly created FRAC Group M12.
It is an optimal resistance management tool and is
soft on beneficials.
2015 Biopesticide Market
Biofungicides
Bionematicides
Bioinsecticides
Others
Bioherbicides
FMC has created an end-to-end biological platform
that complements its traditional strength in synthetic
crop protection chemistries and formulation. “We have
a world-class discovery platform and micro-organism
library as well as a strategic alliance with Chr. Hansen,
one of the world’s foremost authorities on microbial
research and fermentation,” says Daniel van der Lelie, FMC
global director of agricultural biosolutions research and
development. “Biologicals will become an important part
of the sustainable growth of large-acre crops. We are on
the brink of making these biological products as robust as
synthetic chemicals.”
FMC conducts rigorous testing and selects specific
biological strains with growers’ return on investment in
mind. In multi-year trials, the biological offerings from
FMC for corn have increased yields on average more than
nine bushels per acre.
“I see widespread adoption of biological products
for seed treatments and in-furrow applications.
It just makes sense to put these living organisms
that have a symbiotic relationship with the roots
in the furrow to establish the crop and make it as
healthy and productive as possible.”
—Tim Damico, board of directors member, Biopesticide Industry Alliance
Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide and Capture LFR insecticide are Restricted Use Pesticides.
Always read and follow label directions. FMC, Ethos, Capture, LFR and Zone of Production are trademarks and Investing in farming’s future is a service mark
of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. © 2016 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 16-FMC-0339 04/16
Ethos XB insecticide/fungicide and Capture LFR insecticide are Restricted Use Pesticides.
VGR Soil Amendment is not a pesticide. Always read and follow label directions. FMC, Ethos, Fracture, VGR, Capture and LFR are trademarks and Investing in farming’s future is a service mark of FMC Corporation
or an affiliate. © 2016 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 16-FMC-0339 04/16
HIGH HOPES
PINNED ON
BIOLOGICALS
You may have heard them called biologicals or
biopesticides or soft chemicals. What’s included
under the EPA’s biopesticide umbrella, and how
important are they to plant health and the
industry?
By the EPA’s definition, biopesticides include
biochemical pesticides, microbial pesticides and
plant incorporated protectants (PIPs).
Biochemical pesticides are naturally occurring
substances or structurally similar synthetic substances that have a non-toxic mode of action to
the target pest and a history of safe exposure to
humans and the environment. Examples include
pheromones, plant regulators and desiccants.
Microbial pesticides are naturally occurring or
bioengineered microorganisms. Examples include
bacteria, fungi, viruses and bacteriophages.
Plant Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) are
pesticidal substances, like a protein, that are
produced by a genetically altered plant and
the genetic material needed to produce the
substance. An example is Bacillus thuringiensis,
also known as Bt transgenic crops which control insects.
WHY ARE BIOLOGICALS
IMPORTANT?
Biologicals are usually inherently less toxic
than conventional pesticides and generally affect only the target pest
and closely related organisms. In
contrast, broad spectrum, conventional pesticides may affect
non-target organisms.
“Biologicals often are effective
in very small quantities and
decompose quickly, resulting in less exposures to
non-target organisms,” said Robert McNally, US
EPA Director of Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention. “They are useful tools as components of
an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program
because they can decrease the use of conventional pesticides and help maintain crop yields.”
BIOLOGICALS PIPELINE
A consistent amount of new active ingredients
(AIs) are coming through EPA’s door seeking registration. About 10 to 15 biologicals per year are
granted registration approvals compared to two
or three registrations for new AIs for conventional chemistry.
“Over the last 20 years, EPA has registered
more than 430 biological pesticide active ingredients and manages over 1,400 active products,”
said McNally.
The registration process for biologicals is also
shorter and less costly. The timeline for new biologicals is 19 months, while it’s 24 months
for conventional chemistries.
“The cost the applicant pays is
roughly $50,000 for biopesticides
and $600,000 for conventionals,”
McNally said. “Why is that? Biopesticides don’t require as much
data as the conventional world
because they are generally safer by nature. And
we want to provide an
incentive for people to
turn to these chemistries - the shorter
BEYOND PROTECTION,