PHYTOplus, the most advanced product against spider mite
Agrobío, 5 September 2024
Agrobío launches PHYTOplus, its latest product for spider mite control, which is transforming the management of this pest in crops.
Its innovative breeding system for the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis, commonly known as “white phyto,” enables faster and more effective pest control on plants. Additionally, when combined with the predatory mite Amblyseius andersoni (ANDERcontrol, also by Agrobío), the two products achieve an efficient control, even under adverse environmental conditions.
An advanced breeding system
The innovative breeding system for Phytoseiulus persimilis increases female fertility and allows for maintaining larger populations without relying on spider mite as a food source. This dietary change produces a white-colored Phytoseiulus, which turns reddish within just 24 hours after feeding on the pest. This color change serves as a visual indicator in the field of its effective predatory activity.
Innovative formulation
The commercial format of PHYTOplus contains 25,000 individuals, including various life stages of the predatory mite: females, males, juveniles, and eggs. Its formulation, designed to preserve the mites optimally until release (24-48 hours after receipt), ensures continuous and more efficient pest control. This approach prevents generational gaps and keeps spider mite hotspots in crops under control.
PHYTOplus offers a series of exclusive advantages
It provides faster and longer-lasting red spider mite control. PHYTOplus offers improved distribution thanks to its new substrate, which ensures a more uniform spread of the mites over the plants, enhancing dosage consistency from the beginning to the end of the container. Additionally, the substrate in the new formulation adheres better to leaves, maximizing effectiveness. With a larger volume and a greater number of predators, PHYTOplus ensures coverage of a higher number of plants at a lower unit cost. This helps prevent the spread of spider mites to nearby plants.
Its optimal performance is achieved under specific temperature and humidity conditions (T<30ºC and RH>60%). All these advantages make PHYTOplus not only an efficient solution but also an economical one for farmers.
Synergy with ANDERcontrol: full preventive control
Always, but especially in adverse situations such as extreme temperatures or low humidity, PHYTOplus can be complemented with ANDERcontrol, a predatory mite that tolerates temperatures ranging from 6ºC to 40ºC.
ANDERcontrol is a standout natural enemy in Agrobío’s product range. Not only does it feed on red spider mite, but also on pollen and other pests such as thrips. This makes it an ideal tool for establishing preventive control. Additionally, since Amblyseius andersoni can feed on the enriched diet POWERmite 3.0, a patented strategy by Agrobío, this predator offers an added advantage over other spider mite predators, such as Amblyseius californicus.
PHYTOplus has already been tested in commercial crops, and the results have been outstanding. Producers have expressed great satisfaction with the speed and effectiveness of the product, further strengthening confidence in this new biological solution from Agrobío.