Field Results from Zubří, Czech Republic (2022)
Can biological crop protection stand up to one of the most destructive diseases in oilseed rape?
Field trials in Zubří show how Pythium oligandrum-based solutions performed against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum under real farming conditions.
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (white mould) is among the most economically damaging diseases in oilseed rape. Once established, it can significantly reduce yield and compromise crop quality, particularly in seasons with favorable moisture conditions.
In 2022, Biogama conducted a field trial in Zubří, Czech Republic, focusing on the oilseed rape variety Ambasador. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of biological protection based on Pythium oligandrum and compare its performance with standard reference products.
The trial aimed to answer a practical question growers increasingly ask:
Can biological solutions deliver reliable disease control under field conditions?
Trial setup and application strategy
The trial was designed to reflect standard agricultural practice while allowing for clear evaluation of treatment performance.
Trial overview:
- Location: Zubří, Czech Republic
- Year: 2022
- Crop: Oilseed rape
- Variety: Ambasador
- Target disease:Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Applications were performed at key growth stages:
- A: BBCH 40 (19 April 2022)
- B: BBCH 63 (3 May 2022)
Polyversum® formulations based on Pythium oligandrum were applied at different rates and timings and compared with commonly used reference products.
INSIGHT BOX
Biological treatments were integrated into standard crop management without altering existing agronomic practices.
Biological Mode of Action Across Growth Stages
To better understand field performance, it is important to consider how Pythium oligandrum interacts with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum during different growth stages of oilseed rape.
Application during vegetation follows a staged biological strategy:
1. Application – BBCH 14–16
Dosage: 0.1 kg/ha
At early leaf development, Pythium oligandrum induces systemic resistance against fungal pathogens and begins parasitising Sclerotinia sclerotiorum present in soil and plant residues.
2. Application – BBCH 30–39 (winter oilseed rape)
Dosage: 0.1 kg/ha
During stem elongation, the biological agent helps suppress the development of apothecia in the topsoil around plants and supports plant regeneration after winter, while maintaining induced resistance.
3. Application – BBCH 49–65
Dosage: 0.1 kg/ha
At flowering, Pythium oligandrum directly parasitises Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and contributes to the suppression of secondary pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea, protecting the crop during its most infection-sensitive stage.
This multi-stage positioning allows biological protection to target the pathogen at several points of its life cycle — in soil, at apothecia formation, and during stem infection.
Disease pressure and efficacy results
Disease pressure was evaluated on stems, focusing on both pest severity and treatment efficacy.
Results from Zubří showed that Pythium oligandrum-based treatments:
- significantly reduced disease severity on stems,
- achieved high efficacy levels comparable to reference fungicides,
- performed consistently across application strategies.
DATA BOX
- Reduced incidence of Sclerotinia on treated plots
- Stable efficacy across multiple application timings
- No increase in chemical residue load
QUOTE BOX
“What stood out in Zubří was the consistency. Biological protection delivered reliable disease suppression even under natural infection pressure.”
— Biogama Regulatory Team (popř. Ing. Mgr. Petr Rubák, Regulatory and Technical Manager)
Impact on yield and crop performance
Beyond disease control, total yield was assessed at harvest.
Treated plots showed:
- improved yield performance compared to untreated controls,
- results in line with standard reference products,
- no negative impact on crop development or maturation.
This confirms that biological protection can contribute not only to plant health but also to economic performance, without compromising sustainability goals.
The 2022 Zubří trial demonstrates that biological control based on Pythium oligandrum can effectively manage Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in oilseed rape.
By combining disease suppression with plant-supporting effects, biological solutions offer growers a reliable tool for Integrated Pest Management — one that aligns productivity with long-term soil health.
Interested in real-world results from biological crop protection?