June is the “month of truth” for malting barley growers. While yield potential is finalized, pathogens like Fusarium and eyespot pose a silent threat to grain quality and market value. Discover how BIOGAMA´s active predator technology fills the “protection gap” and ensures a clean, residue-free harvest.
Spring barley is one of the most important cereal crops across Europe, valued for both feed and malting production. Yet its yield and quality are under constant siege from fungal pathogens – particularly Fusarium spp., which requires a comprehensive biological control of Fusarium across cereals to protect grain safety and marketability. Polyversum® provides this registered biological shield, while also defending against leaf diseases like Rusts (Puccinia spp.) that compromise the plant’s overall vitality.
With the recent ban of traditional chemical standards like Prochloraz, many agronomists are now facing a dangerous “protection gap” when dealing with critical stem and root diseases such as Eyespot (Pseudocercosporella) or Take-all (Gaeumannomyces). BIOGAMA fills this void, providing a registered biological shield that secures your harvest from the ground up.
The Science of the Active Predator
Unlike conventional fungicides that form a static chemical film, Polyversum sends a “living army” into the crop. Our active predator, Pythium oligandrum M1, doesn’t wait for the pathogen to strike – it actively seeks it out.
- Active Mycoparasitism: Our predator physically attaches to pathogens like Fusarium or Pseudocercosporella, enzymatically degrading their cell walls and consuming them. Pathogens cannot develop resistance to being eaten.
- Induced Resistance: The application “trains” the barley’s immune system, strengthening cell walls and increasing tolerance to late-season stress.
- Growth Stimulation: By secreting tryptamine, a precursor to growth hormones, Polyversum stimulates root development. This is critical for nutrient uptake and water management during dry spring spells.
Foot rot diseases (Eyespot and Take-all) are notoriously difficult to control without Prochloraz. BIOGAMA offers the most field-tested biological option for stem-base health, ensuring structural integrity and preventing lodging.
Hard Data: Consistent Performance in the Field
We build our authority on 30 years of research. Intensive field trials, including those in Zubří (2022), have confirmed that our technology delivers high-performance results even under intense infection pressure:
- Performance Parity: In controlling Fusarium on ears, BIOGAMA achieved results fully comparable to high-end synthetic standards like Metconazole.
- The 18% Yield Boost: Documented results show a total yield increase of up to 18% in spring barley compared to untreated controls.
- Toxin Elimination: By attacking Fusarium before it colonizes the grain, registered biofungicide Polyversum drastically reduces mycotoxin (DON) levels, ensuring the harvest meets premium malting standards.
Operational Freedom: 0-Day PHI
A major challenge in June is the unpredictable weather. If humidity triggers a late outbreak, conventional farmers are often blocked by mandatory Pre-Harvest Intervals (PHI). BIOGAMA features a 0-day PHI, allowing treatment up until the very day of harvest without residue risk.
“I spent my whole life proving that biology deserves a seat at the table next to chemistry. Today, with over 30 years of data and 30 million hectares treated, we are not just offering an alternative. We´re proving what cereal protection looks like when biology gets the chance to lead.“
Ing. arch. Martin Suchánek, Founder of Company
The era of heavy chemical reliance is ending, but the era of high yields is not. BIOGAMA represents a functional upgrade for the modern agronomist – a residue-free Polyversum that provides long-term legislative certainty until 2038 and the ultimate shield for your cereal profit.
Is your crop protection plan ready for the post-chemical era, or are you leaving your yield to chance?