Eden Research Share Discussion Threads

[supersonico] 13/6/2017 12:04

Less pesticides in the pot
01.06.2017-17:23 by a survey it appears that 65% of the population questioned would like to reduce pesticides in Swiss crops.
The Swiss would like fewer pesticides, both in nature and on their own plate: according to a representative survey, two thirds of the population expect the Confederation to reduce the use of these substances in agriculture. From the survey-conducted on a thousand people from the GFS-Zürich Research Institute at the request of SVS/BirdLife (the Association for the Protection of birds), Greenpeace, Pro Natura and WWF-it is apparent that 65% of the questions were expressed for a Berne intervention in order to reduce the use of pesticides in Swiss crops. 49% want the granting of grants to be limited to organic farming only. 74% do not want pesticides in drinking water.

According to the four environmental organizations, in Switzerland there are too many pesticides in the environment, which pollute the waters by endangering the health of men and animals. They therefore want greater determination on the part of the Confederation: "An ambitious plan for reducing pesticides and more human resources is needed and funding to implement it ". BirdLife, Greenpeace, Pro Natura and WWF remind that a recent study by the Federal Institute for Procurement, purification and water protection (EAWAG) has identified a worrying situation in five streams of different cantons (TG, BL, be, VS, ti). The analyses resulted in the presence of 128 different active ingredients derived from agriculture, horticulture and viticulture. Among these 61 herbicides, 45 fungicides and 22 insecticides.

[roydyor] 12/6/2017 23:08

I like your change of style supersonico, some good links.

[supersonico] 11/6/2017 09:55

These two statements together demonstrate (to me at least) what a fabulous job EDEN have done to get the technology commercialised for £12M when Bayer spend $200M.



The product is based on the company’s encapsulation technology which takes naturally occurring chemicals produced by plants, known as terpenes, and harnesses their effects to produce a longer lasting pesticides.

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Reinforcing the natural defences of the plant
Fungicide manufacturers are aware of the challenges and review hundreds of thousands of new active ingredients. However, finding effective materials that are also safe for the environment, workers and consumers is extremely complicated.
As Rucker of Bayer Crop Science commented, "Currently, our company requires more than ten years of development and $200 million of investment to introduce a new active ingredient to the market, from its discovery to the final development."
A promising research area that can help meet the challenges of fungicide resistance is to create a product that reinforces the natural defences of plants.

"Traditionally, companies that manufacture plant protection products have concentrated on developing fungicides that can protect the plant directly to avoid being infected by a pathogen, or fungicides that fight pathogens, after infection." In recent years, several products have been discovered that instead of promoting healthier plants, they seem to better fight pests for themselves, "says Rucker.
Rucker mentions that Bayer Crop science is developing several "biological" products. "While some of these products work effectively against pests, in most cases, biological products offer a certain type of natural ' shield ' that protects plants and helps them be healthier to fend off pest attacks." "This is a very interesting new area for research, because we don't know exactly how these products work and we are discovering more and more about them with each year."

[supersonico] 10/6/2017 15:25

Fungicides have been designed to control or destroy fungi in horticultural crops. However, in recent decades there is evidence that pathogens and pests are developing resistance to fungicides.
This resistance is worrying, as fungicides may become less effective or completely ineffective in controlling pests and pathogens. This article is not a practical guide to counteract resistance to fungicides, but a document that explores the concept of resistance to fungicides and the problems that producers should be aware of when applying them in their crops.

The beginning of a resistance
According to an academic article on resistance to fungicides written by Paul Vincelli, pathologist of the University of Kentucky (USA), the development of resistance to fungicides has the following fundamentals: resistance can only develop in populations of spores that have genetic potential to resist the disease.
Resistant spores are usually present in extremely low numbers: one in one million, or one in a billion; However, that's all it takes to start the process. Most fungus spores die with the spraying of fungicides. If some resistant spores survive treatment, and environmental conditions favor the development of the disease, surviving spores will grow and produce new spore cultures.

These new spores will have a higher percentage of resistant spores. The continuous use of the fungicide will make those resistant spores selected to survive and develop new crops.
"Resistance to fungicides has been a problem since the 1970s, when new groups of fungicides were developed that had great advantages over the previous ones: they were best distributed in plant tissues;" They had much more activity; Much lower doses were required (often implying fewer side effects and less risk of toxicity); And they had a much more specific mode of action, although this last aspect represented the Achilles heel: "As they affected a unique and very specific process of the fungus, allowing the fungus eventually to find a way to avoid being annihilated," explains Anton Baudoin, associate professor in the Department of Pathology of the Virginia technology

Readjusting formulations over time
"Resistance to fungicides has been coming in waves:" A new group of fungicides is introduced, it develops very well for several years and then cases of resistance begin to appear in isolation, until the group of fungicides begins to lose its attractiveness and we need to return to readjust our programs of management of Fungosis, "expresses baudoin." We cannot say that the problem has worsened over the course of the decades; It arrives in waves, when the effectiveness of a new and surprising group begins to unfold. For that reason we have been accumulating more and more materials that once worked well against a wide range of diseases and now only work against a few.

"It is extremely important to follow the label instructions for any crop protection product;" "Besides being a legal obligation!" highlights Keith Rucker, Field Operations Technical service specialist at Bayer Crop Science's South Zone (USA): "The label not only provides important information on the dosages and correct timing of application to control pests, but also includes recommendations that need to be taken into consideration to ensure that the product continues to operate for many years."
"Even when we have simplified technical sheets for many of our products, in order to give a quick reference on their use;" The user has the responsibility to take the time to read and become familiar with the label and always have it on hand in order to answer any questions about the product, "says Rucker.
Best Practices for use
Baudoin adds: "The restrictions indicated by the label may be due to many reasons, ranging from protecting the integrity of workers, to minimizing the risk of producing hazardous waste;" Reduce the risk of damaging natural enemies and non-target organisms and minimize the risk of developing resistance. As with antibiotics in human medicine, overuse can greatly accelerate the risk of resistance development.

In general terms, maintain a low number of applications of a particular fungicide (not more than two or three or seldom per agricultural cycle); and to establish a rotation with different fungicides or to mix them with a second fungicide, are measures that reduce the risk of resistance development, but none of them will guarantee that no resistance is present, explains Baudoin. "The problem is that large-scale introduction of a new group of fungicides is a large-scale experiment."
"We carry out the essays with some background information, but we don't really know if the resistance can be developed quickly, slowly, or if it won't develop." It can be several years before you get enough experience with a particular group to be able to predict your behavior and it is very common that once you know how you will behave, you have developed resistance and we have to face the problem.

Producers need to adequately switch fungicides that have specific modes of action with materials that have activity in "multiple sites" (the ability to join several biological processes within the fungus organism).
Necessary Integrated Management
Rucker, of Bayer Crop Science, adds: "Resistance management practices are of utmost importance to the producer and to manufacturers of crop protection products." Without them, a product, or even a whole group of products with similar mode of action can become completely ineffective in order to fight a plague very quickly. The methods of action of the fungicides have been grouped by the Committee of Resistance to the fungicides, in the groups frac that appear clearly enunciated and in bold letters in front of all the labels and all the containers.

Producers should always rotate fungicides with different frac groups in each sprinkler to ensure that field work is not carried out by a single mode of action, which quickly leads to resistance development.
Combo Packages as an option
Manufacturers are selling products in "combo" that contain the new fungicide specific with fungicides that act in multiple sites. This practice helps producers properly mix in the tank and use suitable compatible materials.
It is important that the producer knows the advantages and disadvantages of those products that are sold in "combo" packages.

Rucker explains that "combo-canned" products are a way in which manufacturers are integrating resistance management practices into the products they are developing. The main advantage of this method is that the producer is applying multiple modes of action with a single product, without having to mix them in a tank.
Although this is a good method for many crops and many diseases, a potential problem may be that the plague being treated is susceptible to a single mode of mixing action.
In this case, producers may think they are using good management practices and are actually only using a mode of action in their treatment. It is always important for producers to know the target pests and the products (as well as the modes of action) that are more effective in combating them.

"It is becoming increasingly difficult to develop new products for agriculture." Even when there are many products on the market waiting to be discovered, it is becoming more difficult to find them, especially as it relates to new modes of action, says Rucker.

Reinforcing the natural defenses of the plant
Fungicide manufacturers are aware of the challenges and review hundreds of thousands of new active ingredients. However, finding effective materials that are also safe for the environment, workers and consumers is extremely complicated.
As Rucker of Bayer Crop Science commented, "Currently, our company requires more than ten years of development and $200 million of investment to introduce a new active ingredient to the market, from its discovery to the final development."
A promising research area that can help meet the challenges of fungicide resistance is to create a product that reinforces the natural defenses of plants.

"Traditionally, companies that manufacture plant protection products have concentrated on developing fungicides that can protect the plant directly to avoid being infected by a pathogen, or fungicides that fight pathogens, after infection." In recent years, several products have been discovered that instead of promoting healthier plants, they seem to better fight pests for themselves, "says Rucker.
Rucker mentions that Bayer Crop science is developing several "biological" products. "While some of these products work effectively against pests, in most cases, biological products offer a certain type of natural ' shield ' that protects plants and helps them be healthier to fend off pest attacks." "This is a very interesting new area for research, because we don't know exactly how these products work and we are discovering more and more about them with each year."

Control or management of disease?
Genetically modified plant varieties are another option with which the producer does not require investing in the application of other materials. In some cases, producers have the opportunity to take advantage of resistant varieties that use genetic resistance to disease to control them.
Often, people who face problems of resistance to fungicides use the terms of "control" or "management" of plant diseases; While the plant consider these terms can represent different techniques that can be used to meet the challenge of resistance.
Rucker Highlights: "Disease control refers specifically to how certain products work to control a specific disease."

Although this information is very important, producers should be concentrating on the concept of disease management. No product can only control a disease of 100%, especially when environmental conditions are appropriate for the development of the disease.
By using the concept of disease management, producers will use a method in which they apply several products in different times, as well as resorting to other elements, such as cultivation practices and resistant varieties to minimize the damage that a disease does in the fields of cultivation. "Disease management programs should consider the management of resistance and these programs differ between one field and another."

Baudoin, of the technology of Virginia adds: "Since the decades of the 60s and the 70s, most plant have preferred to use the term" management, "however, on a personal level, I do not think it is so important." For me, ' keeping the situation under control ' does not sound less sophisticated than the term ' management of the disease. '
The idea behind the change of terms is that we want to get away from the idea that a disease can be completely eradicated, or even that it has a similar goal; As well as addressing the notion that diseases should be kept below harmful levels, combining various practices and caring for costs, durability of treatments and minimizing adverse side effects. However, I think that people who use the term ' control ' are not necessarily less aware of those needs.

[supersonico] 10/6/2017 08:51

The bio agency is mandated by the Ministry of Agriculture to "consolidate the support of the growth of bio in the coming years", according to a communiqué issued on 24 August. The opportunity to revive the ambition Bio 2017 program, which will miss its goal. An article from our partner, the environmental journal.
While the CRU 2015 has proven to be excellent for organic farming, with a 23% increase in cultivated land and 15% of the market, Stéphane Le Foll underlined "the quality of the work done for several years by the agency to accompany all stakeholders, producers, processors and distributors".

Bio Ambition will miss its goal
Wouldn't the support of the Minister of Agriculture come a little late? His final decision on bio dates back to May 2013. The Ambition Bio programme was intended to double the share of the agricultural area (UAA) dedicated to organic farming, from 4% in late 2012 to 8% at the end of 2017. Lost. The land cultivated in bio only represents, at the end of 2015, just 5% of the UAA. And if they are expected to approach 6% at the end of 2016, there is a strong bet that the 8% target will not be achieved until 2020. At best.

The great cultures in line of sight
"The National Assizes organized on November 14th will be an opportunity to identify the brakes and levers at our disposal," adds Florent Guhl. The large organic crops, with the share of the SAU capping at 2%, are in focus. "They pose a major storage problem." The investment in dedicated silos should therefore be developed, he says. Some projects already exist. They are financed by the regions and water agencies rather than by the bio agency, whose future Bio fund (endowed with EUR 4 million by the Ministry of Agriculture) targets national structuring projects, such as the improvement of a distribution chain

A new plan in November?
Would the minister's announcement not have the sole effect of extending the national plan beyond 2017? "The idea is to engage the third phase of bio in France," explains JDLE Florent Guhl, director of the agency created in 2001 by agriculture ministers Jean Glavany and Ecology Yves Cochet. "After the premisses of the bio observed 20 to 30 years ago and the consolidation launched in 2013, the time is at a more important development." In other words: the strong acceleration observed since 2015 must be perpetuated. For the time being, it is based only on an increase in demand and on the volatility of the price of milk and cereals.
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[supersonico] 10/6/2017 08:06

The European Federation of Organic Agriculture movements has asked Brussels to focus on the quality of agricultural production and not on its competitiveness at the next cap.
According to organic farmers, the sustainable nature of the agri-food sector must be at the centre of the EU's efforts if it is to achieve the objectives for sustainable development (odd).
They believe that the current common agricultural policy (CAP) is too focused on the competitiveness of the sector, which has boosted exports, but has also undermined the efforts of food security or the fight against climate change.

In a guidance paper on the post-2020 cap sent on 19 January to the Commissioner responsible for agriculture and rural Development, Phil Hogan, organic farmers point out that less than 30% of EU expenditure has been used for environmental measures and that ecological investments represent only 1.5%.
The paper focuses on the "massive exodus" of farmers due to market volatility and the impact of intensive industrial agriculture on land use and climate change.
"The forthcoming CAP reforms must launch a new agreement between farmers and citizens that will strengthen the environmental and social-economic performance of the agri-food sector", it can be read in the letter, which stresses that a new model of payments should be based on the ecological results.

Organic farmers have emphasized, inter alia, that agricultural public goods (agrobiodiversity, drinking water, stable soils, animal welfare, sustainable landscapes, rural sustainability, etc.) should be recognized by the markets. They therefore call on the Commission to adopt a new model of payments to farmers on this basis.
They believe that more and more European consumers would be willing to pay for food produced in a more sustainable and qualitative way, but that unfortunately farmers in this kind of production are still a minority.
"By fully implementing the principle of public money for public goods, stronger foundations can be created for high-quality food production, and Europe can begin to abandon its current approach of producing cheap food for global markets," explains the movement.

One pillar
IFOAM UE considers that in order for this process to become a reality, the post-2020 cap should be gradually structured on the basis of a single pillar, in which the payment of public goods should account for 80% of the total European expenditure and support measures.
This single pillar should provide a "framework for the payment of public goods", which encourages and rewards farmers proposing a series of environmental and socio-economic services at the level of their exploitation, and this should be financed by the EU at 100%.
In addition, IFOAM UE suggests that the new CAP should contain additional support measures co-financed by Member States and covering topics such as agricultural advice, infrastructure investments, innovation, payments to organic farming and promotional activities.

Working with nature.
In a recent interview with EurActiv, the policy director of IFOAM UE, Eric Gall stressed that agriculture was the backbone of the odd agenda, which will only be realized if the whole food system is transformed.
"We need a transformation and directing us to an agricultural production that works in harmony with nature and promises the natural capacity of soils, plants and animals, which makes farms more resilient," observed Eric Gall.
He added that if the environmental, social, and public health costs of agriculture were better reflected in farmers ' payments and food prices, then farmers and workers along the value chain could be more accurately remunerated.
"This is an urgent change since 70% of the billion people currently suffering from hunger are small producers," commented Eric Gall.
The EU can contribute to this with a new cap approach capable of sustaining sustainable development based on holistic payments for farmers and the prioritization of the often hidden environmental and socio-economic services that farmers provide, he added.
Changing the direction of the cap will help farmers whose practices are oriented towards the socio-economic and environmental sustainability of their own farms, their region and citizens. Finally, it would be a win for taxpayers and Citizens, he said,

Farmers are a "driving force"
During the international Green Week in Berlin, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, stressed that farmers must be in the front line of the fight against global warming and the promotion of sustainable development.
According to the Irish Commissioner, citizens and policymakers should accept the fact that maintaining high standards of quality and food security cannot be associated with more farmers ' efforts for the environment, "unless we specifically encourage farmers to do so."
"Who is better placed than farmers to improve soil and water conservation?" Who is better placed than them to create truly sustainable systems of food production? "asked Phil Hogan."

[supersonico] 09/6/2017 22:29

The keys to keeping Botrytis in the Kiwi
The frequency of Botrytis cinerea in this species is explained by two factors that come from the orchard: the inoculum level and the susceptibility of the fruits. Therefore, experts recommend betting on prevention.

The Botrytis cinerea or grey rot is a fungus polyphagous, which possesses a genetic variability that makes it a pathogen with high capacity to adapt to different climatic conditions and to generate resistance to the fungicides that are used for its control. It is capable of attacking more than 200 species, among which the kiwi is located.

"In Kiwi, Botrytis mainly attacks in the post-harvest stage, especially after the processes of Guarda, which are becoming longer and more common," says Héctor García, Agronomist and general manager of Laboratorios Diagnofruit Ltda.

Although the incidence of Botrytis cinerea in Kiwi in our country is relatively low, it should always be alert, according to experts. In fact, in a normal year the exporters must assume between 1.5% and 3% of loss by Botrytis when packing their guard chambers. In the same way, it should be considered that working with fruit with problems generates slower packing processes, which make the system more expensive, and increases the possibility of rejection at destination, which rebounds in the final sale prices.

Héctor García says that the frequency of Botrytis cinerea in this species is explained by two factors that come from the orchard: the level of inoculum and the susceptibility of fruits (tears peduncular and Lower Turgor, among others). Given these conditions, rotting is likely to be present during storage, which will be observed in the Pedicelar insertion zone. Thus, if the fruit is prone to premature softening, it will have greater problems of gray rot.
Other aspects that may increase the risk that the Kiwi present Botrytis are the characteristics of the orchard. "Those areas where the relative humidity is higher or weedy or dark orchards can generate more inoculum on the fruit, increasing the possibility of rotting in post-harvest", adds Hector Garcia.

The prevention
For the expert to effectively protect the fruit of botrytis will depend, to a large extent, to follow some recommendations such as maintaining a balance in the orchard based on balanced nitrogen fertilization and good water status. This, in turn, will allow to have illuminated orchards and fruit with greater guard potential, thanks to a better concentration of dry matter and mainly of calcium, antagonistic element for the generation of this type of rot. It should be noted that a low n/CA ratio in the fruit (less than 5) will be key to keeping it healthy.

Héctor García also warns that the use of frontal fungicides for Botrytis, which should be applied near the harvest, appears as a plausible alternative, especially in cases where the fruit is subjected to long processes of guarding or is known to have a high susceptibility.
Another management for the prevention of this disease is the curing of the fruit (see box), post-harvest process, which allows to drastically decrease the proportion of fruit with grey rot.

Héctor García says that at present there are new molecules of natural origin that can generate a good controlling effect on this disease in Kiwis. Similarly, it emphasizes that some bags with modified atmosphere technology, which incorporate certain compounds, can decrease the incidence of this fungus in refrigerated storages. However, the expert also emphasizes that until now the experience and evidence are still scarce.

The Italian Way
Despite the good results obtained so far, as regards the prevention of Botrytis cinerea in Kiwis, it is always important to know what is being done in other latitudes. In Italy, for example, the process that is carried out with the fruit once it arrives at the plants is different and is to immerse it for a few minutes in a mixture of water with fungicides for Botrytis cinerea. It is worth mentioning that only the material destined for a long storage will be subjected to this procedure. "This option is an alternative to the curing process that takes place in Chile," says Elizabeth Köhler, general coordinator of the Kiwi Committee and part of the retinue that a few weeks ago traveled to Italy in the framework of a technical tour.

Although in terms of results this immersion process has no greater advantages over a good curing, it could be transformed into a good alternative in operational terms. "The curing lasts about 48 hours while the immersion only takes a few minutes." However, with the second alternative it is very important to carry out a control of the effectiveness of the solution, says Elizabeth Köhler

[supersonico] 09/6/2017 19:15

Page 8

3AEY is a combination of three terpenes which is an effective botryticide and which was developed by Eden
Global markets worth $300m per annum for grapes, fruits, vegetables and flowers
Botrytis occurs late in season affecting yield and quality and shortens shelf-life
Widespread resistance to traditional solutions
Performance of 3AEY in regulatory trials is equivalent to commercial standards and often better when disease pressure is high
Can be used close to harvest without residue risk for consumers - up to 48 hours prior to harvest vs 14-21 days for traditional chemicals
Different mode of action makes 3AEY significantly less prone to resistance

[leonasdad] 09/6/2017 15:13

It's like sayin u got the whole world for cash fun, and real chat n love for babies, umm rewind,proper matchmaking, for marriage n more babies

[supersonico] 09/6/2017 15:09

I understand that 3logy is not certified Organic but I'm using the trends towards more Bio-control pest control as an indicator or proxy for the growing consumer/grower awareness of the growing catalogue of negative effects of traditional pesticides.

I'm making a assumption as I think all our commercial partners are, that bio control like Eden tech will benefit from that awareness/trend as well as regulatory changes..

...also fungicide resistance playing a big part in commercial players adopting bio tech IMO

[weyweyumfozo] 09/6/2017 14:49

I appreciate your efforts supersonic.

'Trends in Italian organic wine' - does this apply to 3LOGY, because I thought I read that part of 3LOGY is synthetic, so can't be used on crops that want to be labelled as organic?

[supersonico] 09/6/2017 14:40

oh yes.. I'm doing the same my end as with the French info but something not liking them..

Any advice Welcome.

All of the articles are from the google search;

'trendenze del vino biologico italiano'

All reporting increasing consumption of Italian Organic/natural wines for home consumption and export.

[weyweyumfozo] 09/6/2017 14:14

I get: 'Cannot translate provided url.' when I click on those links.

[northwick] 09/6/2017 14:10

SS

I am not tech savy - and having difficulties opening your links.

I see MW has indeed praised you and your work in his article. Good on you.

[quazie12] 09/6/2017 10:36

SS looks like Michael Walters can get by your "Frothy" vendetta and has started posting up some of your links on hus website so fame at last

[northwick] 08/6/2017 16:02

Not much stock about. Was just offered only 1000 shares to buy

[supersonico] 06/6/2017 22:09

The Eden Phoenix is rising while Fraudy scrambles in the dirt with ever subordinate obsequious Lube desperately trying to give CPR to a dead Vendetta.

[pj 1] 06/6/2017 21:34

Since when has researched, supported and sometimes justified opinion and fact been negative? Surely in the bigger picture any true fact is always a positive for Investors?

Unless off course you have a closed mind and cannot cope with any view which does not at least condone or support your then position?

[gemstar2] 06/6/2017 21:30

Yes Jaknife, you're another one vomiting out endlessly negative threads on other companies