Based in Lochristi , Belgium , Microflor is increasingly choosing biologic product to protect its young phalaenopsis plants . To prevent the fungous disease Pythium , the breeding and propagation troupe practice Asperello T34 Biocontrol . Arne Steelandt , Quality and R&D Coordinator at Microflor , share his experience and explain Microflor ’s human relationship with Biobest – supplier of biological crop protection .

Can you tell us about Microflor?“Part of the family - owned Floré Group , Microflor is dynamic in the potted plants offshoot . Our expertise comprehend nurture , production , commercial distribution , as well as transport . The nursery young works division of the group , Microflor , specialises in the breeding , tissue civilization and acclimation of various cosmetic plants . Producing some thirty million young plant per annum , primarily phalaenopsis , Microflor ’s other crop include helleborus and gloxinia . ”

How has craw protection evolved throughout the years?“Year after year we have succeeded in reducing our chemic crop protection usage in the solidification - off of phalaenopsis . To achieve this , we first roll up a keen deal of info about the disease and pests present in the crop and continue to search for fresh products to go into our integrated pest management programme . ”

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How did you come into contact with Biobest?“For several years Biobest has been our chosen supplier of predatory mites , nematodes and embarrassing traps . We adjust out to replace the preventative chemical fungicide we used to control Pythium in our genus Phalaenopsis with a biological option . The choice flex out to be the biofungicide Asperello from Biobest . ”

What bring in Asperello different from other products?“Asperello was the first merchandise free-base on a good fungus that we could detect on the roots and the substrate after app . In the past times , we carried out tests with other beneficial fungi , even with other Trichoderma strains , but could never demonstrate their presence . As Asperello can be detected in the crop , we can regulate it . I would definitely recommend other unseasoned genus Phalaenopsis flora propagator to trial it . Thanks to Asperello , we have succeeded in remove all preventative chemical fungicides against Pythium from our control schema . “

How is the cooperation with Biobest?“In recent yr we have carried out more and more inquiry collaborating with Biobest – which has been pleasing . It is a winnings - winnings for both party - Asperello is a good example of this . Thanks to Biobest , we have deliver the goods in reducing our chemical crop protection utilisation to an casual disciplinal software – a practical example of integrated harvest auspices . ”

Is this in - deepness cooperation important?“Definitely . The usance of preparations , micro-organism , beneficial insects and speck respond more precisely than chemic pesticide . However , it does require greater knowledge of the crop and there are more contextual pre - conditions relating to the product themselves . As a client , I expect this information and these quality assurances from the supplier . I finger Biobest definitely center the necessary attention on these requisite - I appreciate that . ”