Biological products are still fairly new and that means it can be hard to know how they fit in an operation. Things get even more confusing with terms like “organic” and “conventional.” Here are some definitions of terms often used in and around crop health solutions.
Organic farming is a practice that can utilize three types of products: natural, synthetic, and/or biological products.
Natural products are, of course, found in nature, like organisms, minerals or elements. The term “natural” doesn’t automatically mean something is safe for use on crops or that it is approved for use in organic agriculture.
Conventional usually refers to products that are based in chemistry. A handful of chemistries are approved for organic agriculture. Some conventional products get their start as natural materials that have been chemically adjusted to be more effective on the farm.
Biologicals are solutions inspired by nature. Biologicals is a term that encompasses living organisms, substances derived from living organisms or natural sources, and solutions that mimic or facilitate natural processes. Biologicals aren’t always products. Releasing ladybugs in a field to consume damaging aphids is a type of biological pest control. When they’re packaged as products, biologicals provide farmers with solutions in a way that’s convenient to use with their crops.
Some biologicals can be certified for use in organic agriculture production, but they also complement production that uses conventional products. For example, a farmer may choose to use a biological pheromone product to attract pests in their field, then spray a synthetic insecticide to control those pests in a specific area.
Used in this way, biologicals can help farmers use conventional chemistry more selectively. And, because biologicals work through different modes of action than synthetic products, using them can help reduce resistance and give conventional products a longer use life on the farm.
Biological solutions with proven performance make a valuable addition to a diverse set of farming practices, whether farm practices are completely organic, mostly conventional or simply focused on what works best.
Interested in learning more about biological solutions? Choose your country page to learn more about the solutions available to you.
