Troyan®, the new biological solution of Koppert against the plague of the headworm of the almond tree

Koppert Biological Systems has started the commercialization of Troyan®, a biological product containing entomopathogenic nematodes (which cause disease in insects) capable of controlling the plague of Capnodis tenebrionis, a beetle better known throughout Spain as the headworm almond. In recent years, this plague has spread throughout the country to become a serious problem because of the damage it causes in crops of almond, cherry, apricot, plum and peach.

The operation of Troyan® is based on the natural action of the beneficial entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae, especially effective against larvae that try to reach the roots of the crop and in pupae, avoiding the development of the pest.

The application of nematodes supposes a before and after in the fight against this pest, since, unlike the treatment with chemical products, the biological control guarantees harvests free of residues

After the application of Troyan® to the soil, the nematodes immediately seek out the larvae and pupae of the headworm. When they are found, nematodes penetrate through any of their natural openings and release into the pest toxic bacteria that in 48-72 hours generate a deadly infection. When the nematodes have finished feeding inside the pest, they abandon it and look for another one to repeat the process.

In this way, Troyan® manages to control the head worm pest in several of its stages, both larvae, causing the greatest damages, as well as pupae, cutting off the pest cycle and reducing its incidence the following year. It is necessary to take into account that when the worm larvae gnaw the roots, they stop the passage of sap and cause a general weakening in the plant that reduces the production and that, in some cases, can trigger the death of the tree.

500 million nematodes

The Troyan® formulation includes the beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes in a mixture of clay and gel that facilitates the application without leaving any residue in the plant. Troyan® is marketed in boxes containing 500 million nematodes. The application rate depends on the condition of the pest and the crop, although applications of between 1 and 3 million nematodes per tree are recommended in the periods from May to June for the control of neonate larvae and from August to September for control of Pupae

With Troyan®, Koppert’s firm commitment to innovation in microbiology materializes. After the first ‘green revolution’ based on the use of biological organisms visible by the human eye to control pests on stem and leaves, now comes a ‘second green revolution’ that will be carried out by beneficial fungi, bacteria and microorganisms that are already beginning To make possible the biological control of pests in the underground part of the plant without leaving any residue.

Source: Koppert Biological

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