A series of independent trials in Czech and Polish oilseed rape crops have shown positive results when mixing insecticides with Pangaea Biosciences’ Booster.
The results showed a reduction in cabbage stem flea beetle, brassica pod midge, winter stem weevil and seed weevil, explains Roger Pinder, global business development consultant.
“We have many practical examples to demonstrate that the addition of Booster to a pyrethroid insecticide can obviate resistance,” adds Charles Tilbury, sales account manager for Northern Europe for Pangaea Biosciences.
He explains that the active ingredient in Booster was first identified at Rothamsted Research in the 1950s as something which would deactivate or block the metabolic pathways responsible for pesticide breakdown.
It leaves the pest in a hypersensitive state, meaning that the pesticide will kill even the most resistant types. According to Charles, this means that Booster could rejuvenate older chemistry, which would be a huge benefit to growers.
Pangaea Biosciences has reportedly optimised the formula of Booster, improving both its stability and uptake, resulting in greater efficacy from the partnered insecticide.
Booster was first registered for commercial use to control pollen beetle in oilseed rape. More than 60% of the pests are resistant to pyrethroids across Europe, increasing to 80% in countries such as Poland and Lithuania.
It was trialled at five Polish sites with a range of insecticides. With a tank mix containing 300ml/ha of Booster, resistance to the insecticide was reportedly overcome. Further commercial use in the Czech Republic and Poland has shown that when applied at night, Booster has also been effective against cabbage stem flea beetle.
Charles Tilbury reports that there are more than 4 million hectares of winter oilseed rape in Europe, most of which is subjected to insect attack.
“Resistance is a major problem in the control of insect pests in oilseed rape across Europe. It is a significant threat to global food security.
“The ability to bring back a range of chemistries that have all started to fail in the market due to resistance problems should have enormous appeal to farmers all over the world.
“Currently, Booster is registered in Poland, the Baltics, Romania, Czechia, Denmark, the UK and Indonesia. Registrations are also proceeding in other parts of Asia and Australia.”
For more information go to www.pangaeabiosciences.com