Fruit Bites for May 17-19 Biorationals

Bob Larson

BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us again is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week Allison, we are talking about biorationals and what are they?

AW: Where biologicals and biological control typically refer to things like predatory insects or parasitoids, Biorationals is a term used to describe products derived from biological origins either directly or synthetically identical. Biorationals include botanicals, plant derived compounds like pyrethrin, neem oil and azadiractin. Microbials like Bt. Minerals such as kaolin clay. Insecticidal soap and finally synthetics like plant and insect growth regulators.

BL: So, biorationals are pretty effective.

AW: Biorationals fit well into integrated pest management programs by rotating to sustain softer conventional chemistries from overuse. Biorationals are generally approved for organic production and carry the least toxic classification signal word “caution”.

BL: Well, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.