Innovation
Nutrien Ag Solutions Acquires New Biological Control Technology
Nutrien Ag Solutions has introduced a new biological control tool for integrated pest management.
Francisco Manzano, president of Nutrien’s parent company, Loveland Products, says the company’s photosensitizer formulations can be used in the agricultural industry around the world. “They’re designed to control pests and pathogens,” he says. “They’ll bring new technology to farmers and help them manage their crops.”
The company said in a statement that it recently acquired the assets of Suncor Energy AgroSciences, which include multiple patented and patent-pending technologies in the field of biological control.
Manzano told Brownfield that this is the first tool available to field crop growers. “The cost of application and the value of this tool to the farmer is quite high,” he said. “It allows them to actually preserve some of the space for their field crops, which is unusual with this type of biocontrol agent.”
According to Nutrien, this proprietary technology for use in the agricultural industry aims to offer a new mode of action and resistance management benefits. Classified as a biological control tool, research and field trial data indicates that the technology has the potential to be market competitive in offering efficacy, stability and economic value comparable to traditional synthetic crop protection inputs.
Manzano said the photosensitizer formulation is expected to be available in select markets around the world by 2025. Product submission to the U.S. EPA is scheduled for 2026.
Audio: Francisco Manzano – New Biological Control Technology Acquired by Nutrien Ag Solutions
