Controle biológico

Summary

This video explores the growing trend of biological pest control in agriculture, focusing on the use of insects and fungi to combat pests and diseases. The narrative follows various agricultural practices across Brazil, where innovative methods like using parasitic wasps, fungi, and specialized insects are proving more effective and eco-friendly than traditional chemical pesticides. Featuring success stories in sugarcane, coffee, and citrus farms, it showcases how farmers are adopting natural solutions to reduce reliance on chemicals, increase efficiency, and restore ecological balance, ultimately leading to more sustainable agricultural practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Insects and fungi play a vital role in biological control against pests and diseases in agriculture, which is not limited to small-scale or alternative farming but has become relevant for large-scale operations.
• 😀 The loss of ecological balance in farming, caused by monoculture and excessive chemical pesticide use, has led to increased pest problems, making biological control an important solution.
• 😀 Brazil became the largest consumer of pesticides in the world in 2008, and despite using transgenic plants, pest damage increased by 600% between 2008 and 2010.
• 😀 The emergence of new pests, like the notorious 'la gata' in 2013, prompted farmers to seek alternative pest control methods, including biological control using viruses and parasitoids.
• 😀 Biological control research in Brazil, led by agronomist José Roberto Parra, focuses on creating natural pest enemies, such as parasitic wasps, to fight agricultural pests.
• 😀 The production of natural enemies, like parasitic wasps that attack brown stink bugs and insects like Trichogramma for sugarcane pest control, is a key innovation in biological pest control.
• 😀 In São Paulo, sugarcane growers have successfully used biological control through parasitoids like Trichogramma to reduce pest infestations, improving crop yields and minimizing losses due to pests.
• 😀 Biological control methods in sugarcane farms are evolving, and tools like drones have been introduced to distribute biological agents more efficiently, making pest control both cost-effective and precise.
• 😀 Biological control is more cost-effective (30-40% cheaper) than chemical control and has shown promising results, including with the use of parasitoid wasps and fungi for insect control in crops like citrus, coffee, and sugarcane.
• 😀 Brazil has a rapidly growing market for biological control, with over 61 companies producing natural pest enemies, contributing to a global market expected to reach billions of dollars, driven by increasing demand for sustainable farming solutions.

Q & A

What is biological control in agriculture?

Biological control in agriculture refers to the use of natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to manage pests and diseases, as an alternative to chemical pesticides.

How has the use of chemicals in agriculture affected pest control?

The excessive use of chemical pesticides has led to an increase in pest resistance, environmental damage, and a decrease in the effectiveness of pest control, as shown by a 600% increase in agricultural losses despite the use of advanced technologies like genetically modified crops.

What role did the 'faixa gata' pest play in the development of biological control in Brazil?

The 'faixa gata' pest, which affected crops like soybeans, corn, and cotton in 2013, prompted Brazilian farmers to explore alternative pest control methods due to difficulties in registering new chemical pesticides, leading to the adoption of biological control strategies.

What are some examples of natural enemies used in biological control?

Examples include the small wasp *Telenor moscou*, which parasitizes brown marmorated stink bug eggs, and *Trichogramma*, a parasitoid used to control pests like the sugarcane borer.

How does the *Trichogramma* wasp help control pests?

The *Trichogramma* wasp lays its eggs inside the eggs of pests like the sugarcane borer. The larvae then consume the pest eggs, preventing the next generation of pests from emerging.

What innovation was developed to improve biological control in sugarcane crops?

An innovation in sugarcane pest control involves using biological agents like *Cotesia* wasps, which parasitize sugarcane borer larvae, helping to reduce damage and prevent fungal infections like red rot.

How are drones used in the distribution of biological control agents?

Drones are used to deploy capsules containing *Cotesia* wasps into sugarcane fields, maximizing efficiency and targeting pest control at the optimal time, with capsules designed to protect the biological agents from weather and predators.

What benefits does biological control offer over chemical methods?

Biological control is cheaper (30-40% less expensive than chemical control), more environmentally friendly, and reduces the risks associated with pesticide resistance, offering long-term sustainability.

What challenges have been faced in developing biological control in Brazil?

Challenges include the need for extensive research, slow regulatory approval processes, and the need for farmers to shift from traditional chemical-based methods to newer, sustainable biological control systems.

How does biological control contribute to environmental sustainability?

Biological control reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides, thus minimizing the negative environmental impacts such as contamination of soil and water, as well as harm to non-target species.