Brazil is one of the largest biopesticide consumers in the world. More than 480 biopesticides were registered in 2022. 83 products of them were formulated with combinations of microbes, . The main species in these formulations are Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (22.9%), Bacillus subtilis (12.1%), Bacillus licheniformis (7.2%), Bacillus velezensis (4.9%), Trichoderma harzianum (12.1%), Beauveria bassiana (8.5%), Metarhizium anisopliae (8.1%), Trichoderma viride (6.3%), Paecilomyces lilacinus (5.4%), and 17.5% with ten other species [1].
The figure below shows the main species and strains used in biopesticides registered in Brazil. These products included bioinsecticides (32 %), biofungicides (41%), bionematicides (22 %), and biofungicides/bionematicides (5%).
Main species and strains in biopesticides registered in Brazil, containing microorganism consortia [2]. Data obtained from https://agrofit.agricultura.gov.br/, on 06/02/2023.
In Brazil, such product is registered as biopesticide only, as it cannot be registered based on its abilities of both growth promotion and bioprotection. However, a single microbe can promote plant growth and control pest, or one strain exerts a biofertilizer-function and another one a biocontrol benefit. So, companies need to focus on one benefit for the registration approval.
Many companies will invest more in biocontrol, and biologicals will continue to grow in Brazil. Lower regulation hurdles and higher acceptance of biopesticides by Brazilian farmers leads to the faster market growth, compared to many other countries in the world.
