The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) project works with growers nationally to put soil management and plant health research into practice. In 2020, the project team will focus on putting soil biology and integrated weed management research into action to benefit the vegetable industry, after a strong focus on strip-tillage and nutrition management in 2019. Soil Wealth ICP Phase 2 (VG16078) is a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Vegetable and Potato – Fresh Funds.

Biological Products Database

‘Biological’ products (also called ‘biologicals’) are defined as those that are derived from living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms, fungi). The term encompasses a diverse range of products, and this is a fast-growing segment of agricultural inputs (definition from croplife.org).

About this database and how to use it

The Biological Product Database is a tool for growers that will assist with navigating the array of ‘biological’ products currently available to their farming business. The project team has compiled the information in response to questions from growers about available products.

The database is available in two different formats for ease of use:

1. Biological products sorted by trade name.
2. Biological products sorted by primary use and trade name.

The database includes a column that indicates whether products have Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) registration. Registered products are known as ‘biological crop protection’ products. If a product is used for crop protection (i.e. used as a biopesticide) is must be registered for use in the crop and situation it is applied in. Contact the APVMA or Hort Innovation for more information (details included in the ‘Find out more’ section).

How was the database developed?

The project team has gathered information primarily from the manufacturers, via their websites and/ or their representatives. It has attempted to strip away any confusion by laying out the bare bones of each product. The project team will include references to independent research in the database as the project progresses.

The database is a work in progress and is not comprehensive. The database will be updated and published regularly as information becomes available.

Is anything missing? If you know of any products or trial information that should be included, or details that are inaccurate or incomplete, please get in touch at rm@rmcg.com.au.

Technology for controlling weeds in vegetable production

Most new technology for controlling weeds will be a positive step forward for soil health and the environment, and will play an important role in our fight against herbicide resistant weeds.

An interactive webinar is available to learn from leading industry experts on some of the most interesting and practical advances in weed management. The session covered non-selective fallow paddock weed control, as well as selective in-crop weed control, and delivery technology.

Get the latest updates from:

• Jeremy Winer, Weedtechnics: Satusteam© – a weed killer safe enough to drink.
• Dave Farmer, Croplands: WEEDit and Recapture technology – what are they and how do they work?
• Robert Tucker, Agriculture Guided Implement Systems: Precision implement guidance in row crops using radio frequency – evolution and lessons from overseas.

The session was facilitated by Carl Larsen from RMCG. You can access other great resources on weed technology, weed management, as well as spray application basics, on the Soil Wealth ICP website.

Find out more

APVMA Guideline for the regulation of biological agricultural products can be found here.

Search for APVMA Permits here. For APVMA Registration enquiries, please phone 02 6770 2300 or email enquiries@apvma.gov.au.

For further details, contact Jodie Pedrana from Hort Innovation: jodie.pedrana@horticulture.com.au.

You can access all the resources in this article, as well as news and events from around the country, on the Soil Wealth website.

For more information, please contact project leaders Dr Gordon Rogers on 02 8627 1040 or gordon@ahr.com.au and Dr Anne-Maree Boland on 03 9882 2670 or anne-mareeb@rmcg.com.au.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable and fresh potato research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government.

Project Number: VG16078