Biologicals: What they are, what they're not, and what they can do for you

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Joan Gibson
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1 Biologicals: What they are, what they're not, and what they can do for you Molly Cadle-Davidson Chief Science Officer Advanced Biological Marketing, Inc

5 BIOLOGICALS OVERVIEW What they are What they are not What they can do What they can not do

6 WHAT BIOLOGICALS ARE General definition: use of living organisms or their byproducts/derivatives to improve plant performance. Nuances Biocontrol: controls disease; regulated Biostimulation: growth promotion, stress tolerance; may be regulated

7 EPA DEFINITIONS Biopesticides are certain types of pesticides derived from such natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals ( Biochemical Microbial Plant-Incorporated-Protectants (PIPs) Biostimulants: no definition, regulated at the state level

COMMON MICROORGANISMS IN BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS Bacteria: Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobia: Symbiotic nitrogen fixation Azosporillum: free-living nitrogen fixation Bacillus:

8 COMMON MICROORGANISMS IN BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS Bacteria: Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobia: Symbiotic nitrogen fixation Azosporillum: free-living nitrogen fixation Bacillus: Biocontrol Fungi: Trichoderma: Growth promotion, stress tolerance, some biocontrol Mycorrhyzae: Growth promotion, stress tolerance, some biocontrol, HOST REQUIRED

9 WHAT ELSE IS IN THERE? Formulants: preservatives, flowability agents, composition stabilizers Chemistry: growing trend to include hard chemistry and biologicals in the same jug. Growth regulators: compounds known to accelerate or suppress plant growth Nutrients: NPK, micros, humates, etc

BIOLOGICALS: A WEB OF MOTIVATIONS What a

STARTUPS: Microbiome tech, Extracts, Can

10 BIOLOGICALS: A WEB OF MOTIVATIONS What a biological is will depend on perspective REGULATORY: Worker/consumer safety, Environmental protection BIOLOGICAL STARTUPS: Microbiome tech, Extracts, Can address only part of product development chain CONSUMER: Yield, Fewer or more cost effective inputs, Stewardship CHEMICAL COS: Product w/ good price point with least pushback from Regulatory; Fit with existing business model LARGE AGBIO: Total package (seed/genetics, chemistry, biologicals)

11 WHAT BIOLOGICALS ARE NOT Hard chemistry May have different handling requirements Often applied as a starter inoculum Organic/OMRI listed (necessarily) This takes some work from the manufacturer All created equal There are differences among species, strains, biochemical derivities Different: formulations, application methods & rates, trait effects

12 HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU RE LOOKING AT A BIOLOGICAL No Is it alive? Yes No Is it an extract or derived from a living organism? Yes BIOLOGICAL NOT A BIOLOGICAL BIOLOGICAL

13 QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT A POTENTIAL BIOLOGICAL What is claimed? Are there data to support claims? What is the product: Is it alive? Will it grow with the plant? Are there special storage or handling requirements? What is/are the mechanism(s) of the effects? How is it manufactured? Is there an assurance of consistency of performance?

14 CHECK THE LABEL

15 WHAT BIOLOGICALS CAN DO ABM STRAIN seed treatment Example of natural inoculum

16 WHAT BIOLOGICALS CAN DO Biological Control Niche replacement Mycoparasitism Antibiosis Induced resistance

NUE Whole pathway up-regulation Signaling cascades (MAPK) Improved

17 WHAT BIOLOGICALS CAN DO Enhanced Photosynthetic Efficiency Resistance to pests Resistance to abiotic/ biotic stress Increased NUE Whole pathway up-regulation Signaling cascades (MAPK) Improved nutritional quality Bigger, deeper roots Trigger molecules Beneficial Microbes T

18 WHAT THEY CAN T Enable a plant to perform beyond its genetic potential Create soil nutrients where there are none Cure plant disease that s already occurred Wash your truck

21 SUMMARY Biologicals are more and more a presence in the ag industry Clear definitions are elusive Important to consider perspective when faced with a potential biological product Asking the right questions and reading the labels are the most important tools in your toolbox

Biostimulants, biofungicides and biofertilizers

Biostimulants, biofungicides and biofertilizers a.k.a. Agricultural Biologicals Lori Hoagland Associate Professor and Soil Microbial Ecologist January 4 th, 2018 Agricultural Biologicals Long history of