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Novel technology for sustainable agriculture
José A. Acosta, Ernesto L. Mola, Marianela G. Siverio, Carlos B. Nordelo, Luis H. Martínez.
Havana , February 13. A multidisciplinary staff of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana , Cuba , has developed a technology for biological control of nematodes in agriculture. The research, started at the beginning of the 90s, concluded field tests with HeberNem, the biological nematicide manufactured at the CIGB in Camagüey and marketed by Heber Biotec SA, the company owning exclusive rights for the commercialization of the product. After 18 toxicological and eco-toxicological tests, HeberNem has proven to be an innocuous product without any negative environmental effect. In field tests, it has been shown that the product interrupts the reproductive cycle of crop-damaging worms. Effect on pathogenic zoonematodes has also been identified. A strain of the bacterium Tsukamurella paurometabolum , having a potent nematicide effect on many phytofagous nematodes, has been isolated and the action pathway has been elucidated. Registration in Cuba will be granted in 2006. A formulation was obtained and tested in economically significant agricultural crops, showing an efficacy higher than 90%.
Biological products for control of pest and diseases are highly demanded worldwide. Their environmental friendly nature, compatibility with organic agriculture and capability for strongly reduce or substitute other pesticides are highly priced. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), "Soil organisms contribute to a wide range of essential services to the sustainable function of all ecosystems, by acting as the primary driving agents of nutrient cycling, regulating the dynamics of soil organic matter, soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission; modifying soil physical structure and water regimes, enhancing the amount and efficiency of nutrient acquisition by the vegetation, and enhancing plant health. These services are not only essential to the functioning of natural ecosystems but constitute an important resource for the sustainable management of agricultural systems". The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of FAO defines biodiversity as "the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and ecosystems". Cuban scientists have demonstrated that they agree with this international vision of agricultural technologies by developing HeberNem and designing a technology for a sustainable control of nematodes in agriculture.
This project has been included within the CIGB's negotiation portfolio along with other agricultural projects and published in the web site http://gndp.cigb.edu.cu , to facilitate the access to companies and research institutions to the most up to date R&D results at the CIGB. The institution is looking for: i-) evaluation agreement linked to a milestone payment structure and based on testing HeberNem effects in other countries, and ii-) a commercial agreement for specific territories.
For information: http://gndp.cigb.edu.cu or http://www.cigb.edu.cu
Contact: ernesto.lopez@cigb.edu.cu
Phone: (53-7) 2712397. |
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