Koppert launched Terranem, a biocide, in Brazil

Koppert recently announced the launch of Terranem, a biocide based on Steinernema carpocapsae, in Brazil. According to the introduction, the product is mainly used to control the sugar cane weevil (Sphenophorus levis).

"We call Terranem the 'good nematode' because it sustainably and efficiently controls the cane weevil, an important pest in sugarcane fields, without threatening the plantation environment," explains Marcelino Borges de Brito, Koppert's Brazilian agricultural Development Coordinator.

Koppert said Terranem incorporated "high technology" into its formulation, providing "ideal conditions" for controlling nematodes and excellent agronomic applicability in the field. Studies have shown that the application of Terranem is very effective, significantly reducing the pest population and thus the proportion of stalks affected, making it an effective solution for controlling this highly harmful sugarcane pest."

Currently, the pest that is causing the most damage to Brazil's sugarcane production potential is the cane weevil, according to the Brazilian National Union of Bioenergy (UDOP). It is estimated that for every 1% of stalks attacked by pests, sugarcane yields fall by about 1.6 tonnes per hectare. Insect larvae feed on the base of the stalk, which is opened up into circular longitudinal channels, destroying the entire internal structure until the adult stage.

The continued infestation of the cane weevil in the rhizomes and the resulting reduction in cultivation have resulted in a cumulative loss of sugarcane yields, forcing early harvesting of sugarcane fields, which often also prevents subsequent second harvests. Koppert says controlling the pest is often very tiring.