April 2019 - 32

BIOCONTOL STRATEGIES
he said the
majority are now
being used on
conventional
crops.
" Consumer
EXTENDED
REACH
Biologicals industry says it's growing past niche uses
Biological products are often used in controlled environment agriculture, althought the industry says it is expanding into other
types of agriculture. Photos: Marrone Bio
By Stephen Kloosterman
Associate Editor
Biological products are a vital tool for
organic fruit growers and have shown
effectiveness in greenhouses for stopping
weeds and bad bugs.
But the industry isn't stopping there.
Leaders say they're claiming a place in
mainstream agriculture. An industry that
started with finding softer chemicals and
biological means for controlling pests and
weeds now has biostimulants promoting
plant growth. Other products even aim at
improving vegetable quality and shelf life.
More at market
" The specialty crops are really where a lot
of the biological products actually got their
start, " said Keith Jones, executive director
of the Biological Products Industry
Alliance (BPIA). " Biological products
have found their greatest acceptance with
fruit and vegetable growers. "
BPIA promotes the responsible
development of safe and effective biological
products. The group has grown from
just five original companies to about 130
members that either manufacture, market
or distribute biological products.
Jones said biologicals now make up
about 17 percent of the market of pest
control products for fruit and vegetable
growers - and that market share continues
to grow annually. While about 25 percent
of biocontrols are used on organic crops,
High-Tech Tools
2019
demand is also
a driver for this, "
he said. " People now, they care a lot more
about what's going on with their grapes.
They may not have such an interest in what's
being used on their cotton. Things that
they're consuming, there's a higher degree of
interest in what's being used on those kinds
of crops. "
But even biological products are not
exempt from all regulation.
In the U.S., the EPA's Biopesticides and
Pollution Prevention Division in its Office
of Pesticide Programs handles registration
of biological pest controls that act with
biochemical, microbial or emerging
technologies.
" Like any industry, I'm sure there are
some inferior products out there, " Jones
said. A biological product that survives
on the market for several years likely has
a demonstrated value for growers, he
said. Startup companies that apply for
membership to the BPIA must agree to
comply with government registration rules,
and make scientifically valid claims in
marketing.
" We're just looking for a company to
be a legitimate company with legitimate
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32 | FruitGrowersNews.com

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April 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2019