Russian scientists have created eight experimental biological products to protect soft wheat from diseases. The complexes include beneficial bacteria, antagonistic fungi, and 0.1% chitosan salicylate.
The development by the St. Petersburg State Agrarian University and the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Protection was tested directly in field conditions in the Leningrad Region. Despite unstable weather, the preparations significantly reduced the development of root rot and some dangerous leaf diseases.
Experimentally created polyfunctional complexes based on strains of beneficial bacteria and fungi showed good results in wheat cultivation. Despite unstable weather conditions in the Leningrad Region, where the study was conducted, a noticeable reduction in the development of root rot, as well as some dangerous leaf diseases, was observed in plants.
The researchers also recorded a positive effect of the complexes on the productive tillering of plants and yield. However, the specific increase in yield is not provided in the study.
Now, the developers need to create preparative forms and prepare the biological products for state registration in the unified register of pesticides and agrochemicals. Only after this will the developments be able to move to mass production and application.
Scientists expect to use the technology in various regions of Russia for resource-saving wheat cultivation and improving the phytosanitary condition of crops.