Welcome to the BioWorks Bulletin -- May 2014

The trend in the use of biologicals in crop production has steadily increased over the last two decades.
The advantages of incorporating them either with or without chemical products in a disease/insect pest management program are too great to ignore -- environmental issues, human safety, disease and insect resistance to chemicals are just a few of the considerations. This month's issue offers some perspectives on the growing prominence of biological pest control in the nursery/greenhouse industry.

Why Growers Should Integrate Biologicals into their Disease Management Programs

The benefits of biological control agents are becoming more widely recognized among greenhouse and nursery growers. Obstacles continue to arise when combating plant diseases and insects with traditional chemicals, such as resistant strains of pathogens, insects becoming immune to certain chemicals, and of course the adverse effects these pesticides can have on their workers and the environment. Many savvy growers acknowledging these difficulties are turning to biologicals to help meet the challenge.

In a recent article, University of Florida plant pathologists Gul Shad Ali and David Norman, address the value of adding biological pest controls to integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for controlling plant diseases.

Click here to read the complete article published in the April issue of Greenhouse Management magazine, and learn the advantages biologicals have and why so many growers are integrating these low-risk resources in their disease management programs.

Effective Use of Biopesticides

Recently, Dr. Matthew Krause, BioWorks' Product Development Manager, was invited to speak at the 2014 Biological Control in Ornamental Plant Production Symposium.

In his presentation "Effective Use of Biopesticides for Disease and Pest Management in the Greenhouse and Nursery," Dr. Krause shared insight on how the use of biopesticides has steadily increased since the 1990's, and provided growers with a simple breakdown of biopesticide categories and their benefits.

Additionally, Dr. Krause recommended several keys to successfully incorporating biopesticides into greenhouse and nursery crop production.

Read the highlights of this very informative talk in the May/June TNLA Green magazine.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS

How likely are you to recommend BioWorks? Take our 2 question survey. Your feedback will help us offer you the best customer service experience.

One grower's comments:

"I was looking for a safer way to control insects and fungus...after using BioWorks' products we are getting the results I expected...and have made Westwinds safer for our employees and customers.

Since I started incorporating RootShield PLUS Granules, our plants have had healthier root systems and none of the fungus problems we had at times before.

We have been using BioWorks products now for 2 years at Westwinds Nursery and couldn't be happier with the results."

Rick Putman, Westwinds Nursery

Upcoming Events

The International Floriculture Expo

June 10-13

New Orleans, LA

PANTS14

Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Show

July 30-31

Philadelphia, PA

Cultivate '14

(formerly OFA Short Course)