Way back in the 70s and 80s, when I was heavily involved with fixed media waste treatment systems for water reuse, we had a problem.  Many of those facilities had fly infestations.  So, we began adding Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) microbes to the mix.  These microbes secreted a chemical that took care of the flies.  (We actually manufactured the microbial mutants on peanut hulls, which kept the microbes on the surface of the water (peanut hulls tend to float).

We also developed a program to deal with Dutch Elm disease using immobilized microbes.  The problem there is that our solution came too late- by the time we were ready, there were few, if any, Dutch Elms left to treat.  So, the business side of the development was no longer relevant.

Well, that sort of behavior is what a whole bunch of companies are trying to emulate.  They are seeking microbes (bacteria and fungi) that can be used as pesticides to help our crops fend off pests.  For starters, finding the microbial combination that provides these controls will mean the products can be brought to the marketplace faster than if new chemical products are developed- because there will be no need to undergo the safety testing required for all new chemical concoctions.

And, as opposed to our crude methods of the 70s and the 80s, sophisticated DNA diagnostic procedures exist nowadays that can render the process easier to achieve.  And, these are not genetically modifying the crops that annoys so many folks (who are opposed to GMO).  In this case, the microbes will be coated on the plant surfaces to let them garner the desired immunity.

Right now, biopesticides are a small component of the overall market- something on the order of 3.5% of the $ 54 billion global pesticide market.  It is hoped that with the new findings and refined concoctions, this segment can grow to 10% of the overall market.

This is why companies like BASF (the world’s largest chemical company) has acquired Becker Underwood, Bayer obtained AgraQuest, and Dupont’s Pioneer Seed acquired Danisco A/S.  One can expect that Monsanto will try to push its partnership with Novozymes A/S to become a major player in this arena, as well.

Becker Underwood’s big product is a bunch of worms that is effective against weevils and moths.  AgraQuest has been operating in the fruit and vegetable markets with microbial fungicides and insecticides.  Danisco is really not in the pesticide business, specializing instead in food ingredients and industrial enzymes.

The downside to this biopesticide quest is that the traditional pests can develop resistance to the microbes that are chosen to defend the plants.  Which would mean that we could have even more virulent strains with which we have to deal to keep our sustained crop production.

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