Embrapa/ISCA to co-develop soy pheromones

A Brazilian state enterprise is to partner crop protection company ISCA Tecnologias (Ijui) in developing pheromone-based products for the control of soybean stink bugs. The Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia has agreed the deal with ISCA. It is one of 47 units of the Brazilian agricultural research corporation, the Embrapa. Its laboratory has carried out studies on semiochemicals of various stink bug species since 1990, monitoring and controlling populations on soybeans. ISCA has an R&D team with the ability to synthesise, produce and formulate pheromones, prototype traps, as well as develop IPM methods, the Embrapa says. The goal is to supply soybean growers with stink bug monitoring methods using pheromone baited traps. The pest is one of the most harmful to soybean crops in Brazil, Argentina and the US, ISCA notes.