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EUROPEAN-SEED.COM I EUROPEAN SEED I 7 Bletsky. Examples of ag biological products include Bt sprays microbials and naturally-derived chemicals. Ag biologicals can help increase yields in a variety of sustainable ways by improving nutrient uptake promoting growth and protecting plants from insects weeds and diseases. Organic seed treatment on the other hand is often understood to be a subgroup of seed treatments which can be applied in organic agriculture. An organic seed treatment does not necessarily have to be biological because some chemicals are allowed in organic agriculture. Most chemical seed protectants are not an option for organic growers however there are some seed treatments such as priming pelletising and the use of hot water or protectants that are compliant with the National Organic Program NOP which can be used by organic farmers to improve seed performance. There is a slight difference in terms of regulations in the sense that organic seed treatment implicates that any inputs such as micro organisms fertilizers etc. must be authorised for organic farming. Biological seed treatments can be used by organic farmers if the treatment is certified organic. MICROBES Microbes are tiny single-cell organisms of which millions can fit into the eye of a needle. These organisms occur naturally in the environment and are found almost everywhere. Countless microorganisms live in the soil and in close relation to the plant i.e. microbiome and interact with plants and soil during the growing season in several ways. Many of these microorganisms have distinctive properties that can help control fungi bacteria nematodes insects and weeds. These microorganisms can also stimulate plant growth and yield by improving access to nutrients. Microbial products are made from microbes that can work alone or complement traditional methods of plant production and protection. Bletsky adds that the BioAg Alliance which is Novozymes strategic alliance with Monsanto focuses on microbial inoculants and biopesticides. Microbial products notably those products that contain bacteria and fungi can promote soil health by protecting crops from pests and diseases and enhancing plant productivity and fertility. Microbial products common modes of delivery include seed treatments direct soil applications foliar sprays and drench applications. Microbes have been used in agriculture for a long time. During the past century farmers have used soil bacteria such as rhizobia and Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt strains. Organic farming in particular has benefited as rhizobia replaces or complements traditional fertilizers and Bt is one of the pesticides permitted in organic production by the NOP. These microbes can easily be cultured by fermentation. Philippe Cognet of Italpollina indicates that his company is working on commercial formulations combining mycorrhizae species Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices fungus species Trichoderma atroviride and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria PGPR. Trichoderma is known to stimulate growth help the plant to protect itself from various aggressors and it also provides substances to enhance root development. Mycorrhiza strains create symbiotic associations with roots helping the roots to uptake water and nutritional elements e.g. phosphorus from the soil. Such symbiotic processes significantly increase the root dispersal zone and are an essential element in the life of plants says Cognet. Peter Maes corporate marketing director at Koppert Biological Systems states that specifically for large arable crops cultivated in rows such as soybeans rice maize and grains Koppert has developed the seed-treatment Panoramix product line. He says this product line contains a number of unique and high-quality microorganisms that benefit the crop. Panoramix protects the seeds promotes early growth and strengthens the seedling the root system and the full-grown crop. The product promotes the crops growth and makes the plant less vulnerable to pathogens found in the soil and on the seed including harmful nematodes. A treatment with Panoramix gives rise to a stronger and healthier crop which is more resistant to drought and disease and most importantly much more productive says Maes. EUROPEAN-SEED.COM I EUROPEAN SEED I 7 Ag biologicals can help increase yields in a variety of sustainable ways by improving nutrient uptake promoting growth and protecting plants from insects weeds and diseases.