Pesticide Efficacy Tests to Improve Plant Health and Reduce Residues

There are hundreds of chemical and biological pesticides registered for the management of pests and diseases affecting agricultural crops. For Cotecna laboratories, knowing the effectiveness of products used for crop treatments is important. These treatments must respect relevant agronomic and food consumption regulations.

AGRONÔMICA, part of the Cotecna Group and based in Brazil, uses efficacy tests to help farmers choose the most effective products for pest management. Mainly, products with less environmental impact and greater profitability. Knowing the efficiency of any given molecule is a fundamental condition for a pesticide to be used by farmers. In addition, these tests are necessary for products to be registered by the Brazil Ministry of Agriculture.

Similarly, at Fitosoil Laboratories, part of the Cotecna Group and based in Spain, the first line of action is to support farmers and producers of agricultural inputs. Analysing different materials (soil, water, phytosanitary products, fertilizers, plant material) allows for the efficient assessment of crop needs before planting, as well as monitoring the state of the crop during its development up to the moment of harvesting.

Working in collaboration with the producers of fertilizers and phytosanitary products has allowed Fitosoil to develop specific methodologies for determinations that have not yet been standardized. These field projects enable the confirmation of necessary quantities to be applied and note their effect on the soil. In the case of fertilizers; checking the safety periods and the effects of accumulation, in the case of phytosanitary products; confirming the absence of non-permitted residues and compliance with established regulations, for plants and their fruits.

Different management of soybean diseases.

At AGRONÔMICA, studies are conducts in laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions, helping validate the efficiency of products used in the control of agricultural diseases and pests for different crops, especially soybean, maize and wheat.

Laboratory, Greenhouse and Field Tests

In laboratory assays, AGRONÔMICA may analyze: the sensitivity of pathogens to fungicides, bactericides, nematicides, resistance inducers, fertilizers, and biological products. Such analysis is done through evaluations of growth rate, percentage of mycelium inhibition, germination of conidia in plaques and colony growth. In addition, different seed treatments can be evaluated. For biological products, comparison tests between biological agents and pathogens and inhibition halo evaluation can be performed.

At the same time, Fitosoil uses a multi-residue analysis program including more than 600 substances, most of them within the scope of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and can be performed in any of the matrices mentioned above. Studies include pesticides that have been banned for years but have long persistence in soil (such as DDT and its metabolites), as well as pesticides developed a few years ago that are expected to be approved and used in the coming years. This allows us to help the sector in the preventive detection of a possible future problem.

In a similar way, greenhouse-supported tests may analyze the efficacy of fungicides, bactericides, nematicides, resistance inducers, fertilizers, and biological products, in seed or shoot treatment, for various pathosystems, through evaluations of incidence, severity, area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), germination, emergence, plant growth parameters and phytotoxicity by products.

Greenhouse pesticide efficacy tests.

The field tests, in turn, can show results of the real efficiency of pesticides, considering the different environmental variables. In addition to the parameters already mentioned in the greenhouse, field tests include evaluations of productivity components. In AGRONÔMICA’s experimental field, internal research is conducted to generate knowledge, seeking sustainable solutions for agriculture, through studies with the integrated management of chemical and biological products, in addition to the trials contracted by partner companies.

Sustainability measures

The organic sector is of great importance because of its impact on the sustainability of the planet, so Fitosoil developed joint control strategies with the involved agents, always counting on farmers and producers, in line with the increasingly demanding requirements implemented by certification bodies and authorities. In this line, Fitosoil obtained certification under the specific ENAC accreditation program, "TESTS FOR THE CONTROL OF ECOLOGICAL PRODUCTION" (NT-70.09), which includes specific highly polar substances (such as Glyphosate, Fosetyl-Al, Chlorate and Perchlorate), as well as polluting metals (Copper, Lead, Cadmium).

From this perspective and with these developments made, Fitosoil continuously works to contribute to the strategy promoted by the EU for the control "from farm to fork", in line with consumer protection and ensuring sustainability in the future of the planet. At Cotecna, our goal is to support stakeholders at every point of the food supply chain, optimizing their production and traceability processes, as well as ensuring peace of mind for distributors and consumers through food safety.

Case study: AGRONÔMICA’s experimental field

AGRONÔMICA’s Technological Field. Jaboticaba, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

In March 2024, AGRONÔMICA held a field day, where some main customers participated in the agronomic efficacy tests of products for soybean disease control. On that day, more than 280 experimental plots were presented with experiments that evaluated different chemical and biological management in association, different pesticide application intervals, as well as different control start times. The field day made it possible to discuss the importance of integrated management of soybean diseases and which chemical and biological pesticides are most efficient in the field, allowing the exchange and dissemination of knowledge among the participants.

Images from the Agronomic Field Day.

There is a long path to developing adequate products that can be used by producers to control pests and diseases. Cotecna efficacy tests are set in stages that provide safety for users and ensure the effectiveness of the products used under different conditions. Our laboratories are part of a responsible chain, contributing to sustainable management and food safety, through the use of products duly tested and with proven effectiveness.

To learn more about Cotecna Agriculture Services or to request a free quote, please contact us.