Watch Out! Understanding the True Biological Approach
It is with some sadness but inevitability perhaps that the following new biological fungicide, Serifel (bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain MBI600) has been launched by BASF. You may ask why?
The Symptom vs. Cause Debate in ‘Biological’ Agriculture
With ‘biological’ agriculture we begin to understand that weakness (disease, weeds, insects) starts from a poor or unbalanced farming system and the reliance on products that override this weakness to solve issues have never solved the causes, only symptoms. That is why chemical applications have grown and increased as the causes are ignored. The systems have not changed and we now BASF have isolated a specific Bacillus strain that has been cleared for use as a fungicide – to be used in the same manner to control rather than to work at understanding the underlying causes. Microbes work in complex communities and have a community of functions.
The Holistic Approach to Biological Farming
For the ‘Biological’ approach to work we must begin to understand that it is whole farm health, integrating a wholistic approach that becomes the driver and products merely are in support or a final option, not the first and only choice. Microbial consortiums are of critical importance for the re-inoculation of the rhizosphere and phylosphere for plants to reconnect and function correctly within the biological system. Disease control is not a word we would use with microbial applications. It is about the complex communities of support, inhibition, root connection and enhancement, increased energy, increased nutrient uptake, higher biomass, healthier plants, all leading to lower disease and lower inputs and it is this that becomes the driving force. This is the complete opposite of what is being promoted by the chemical companies, we try and build a functioning soil system to grow healthy plants with the lowest of inputs and highest efficiency reducing outside inputs to the minimum.
Navigating the Conflict in Agricultural Practices
I would like to think this approach does not muddy the waters, but there is tremendous conflict developing and dare I suggest abuse of natural systems. I cannot deny these products have an impact but they come from completely the wrong end to manage disease in a weak system that promotes degradation.
