Plant protection
BENEFICIAL NEMATODES FOR HORTI- AND AGRICULTURE
Biological plant protection products based on nematodes control pests in agriculture and horticulture in a natural way. They are completely harmless to humans, plants and animals. Unlike chemical substances, the nematodes act specifically against the harmful organisms so that beneficial organisms are spared. In addition, no resistance can develop. The effect of our products is therefore sustainable and much kinder to the environment.
SMALL WORM - LARGE IMPACT
The nematode, can be as small as 0.5 millimeters. Nematodes are one of the most diverse species on earth. They are at home in any conceivable habitat. The name nematode comes from the Greek "nema" ("thread"). Nematodes feed on plants, bacteria, fungi, and the larvae of insects. This is where we come in. The species of nematodes we breed target only specific insect larvae. At the same time, they are completely harmless to animals, plants, and people.
Nematodes of the species Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
NATURAL ENEMIES FROM THE LAB
We breed nematodes as natural enemies to multiple pests – and provide them to farmers and gardeners, ready to use. One such pest you are probably familiar with are white grubs. They feed on grass roots and are often the cause of damaged lawns or sports fields. Introduced with the watering, our nematodes actively search for any existing grubs as their hosts. After 2-3 days the targeted grubs are dead and serve as a food source for the nematodes that reproduce in them. The new nematode generation moves on to the next grub. This process continues until all host organisms are dead. No trace. No side effects. Completely natural.
Grubs of the garden chafer (Phyllopertha horticola) in the soil
Fermenter to farm
As simple and natural as our small allies – the nematodes – are, as complex is the process of breeding them. It took years and years of research until we were able to cultivate nematodes at a larger scale. Translating the scientific knowledge into an industrial process requires substantial knowledge of various fermentation processes and bioreactor control. Our fermenters hold between 0.5 and 90,000 liters. At our production site in Kiel, we run various sterile processes over a period of two weeks – few producers around the world share this expertise.
Our research and close collaboration with scientific institutes and universities around the world help broaden the area of application and improve the efficiency of natural plant protection. We improve the quality of plant protection products and increase the knowledge in the field of environmentally responsible plant protection. Knowledge, from which we all profit. Plants, animals, and people.