Title : The use of biofungicides as an environmentally friendly strategy for disease management
Abstract:
Reflected in its mission ‘Applied Nature for a Better Agriculture’, Aphea.Bio develops sustainable agricultural products based on natural microorganisms to increase crop yields and to protect them against specific diseases. Aphea.Bio distinguishes itself through its unique technology platform and its expertise to isolate, culture and exploit the so far unexplored microbial space. VIRTUOSATM, Aphea.Bio’s biofungicide product for foliar application in fruit and vegetables will offer farmers a sustainable and economically viable answer to diseases such as grey mold and powdery mildew. Based on a Streptomyces strain, VIRTUOSATM offers advantageous features, such as broad-spectrum activity, ease of use, a two-year shelf life at ambient temperatures, compatibility with standard chemistry and suitability for integrated pest management. This positions VIRTUOSATM as a reliable option for growers looking to replace or supplement their standard practices. All studies confirm that the microbial strain has a very low risk profile, with no adverse effects observed in toxicity studies and no ecotoxicological risks identified whilst also having a short preharvest interval. Our current data supports a mode of action consisting of (i) nutrient and spatial competition with the plant pathogens, (ii) transient production of several lytic enzymes and secondary metabolites inhibiting growth of the plant pathogens, and (iii) impairment of the iron nutrition of plant pathogens by the production of siderophores.
