Dr. Brendon Neumann of Andermatt on Biologicals and Resistance Management

The rise of resistance to conventional chemistries stems from single‑mode active ingredients applied repeatedly across large monocultures. When a pest mutates at a single target site, survivors proliferate, accelerating resistance. Dr. Brendan Newman notes that protecting existing chemistries is essential because developing new actives is costly and time‑intensive. Integrating biological products— which use multiple, often novel modes of action—provides a strategic buffer. Mixing biologics with chemicals suppresses resistant individuals early, extending product life and supporting sustainable crop protection. This approach aligns with integrated pest management principles and reduces long‑term input costs.

Biologicals undergo the same registration testing as synthetics, yet field performance can seem variable due to UV exposure, temperature extremes, and humidity. Newman emphasizes that most variability is environmental, not product‑inherent, and can be mitigated through grower education on timing, conditions, and formulation choice. New formulations with UV‑stabilizers and encapsulation improve consistency. Cutting‑edge technologies such as RNA interference, fungal metabolites, and peptide biopesticides expand the biological toolbox, offering greater stability and targeted action while remaining within the biological category. Field trials across diverse climates confirm that optimized formulations maintain efficacy under real‑world conditions.

Biologicals are unlikely to replace all synthetics immediately, but they are moving from niche to mainstream, especially in high‑intensity spray crops like greenhouse vegetables and certain orchards. Combined programs have already lowered residues and slowed resistance. As formulations improve and AI‑driven decision tools emerge, fully biological integrated pest management becomes feasible for specific regions and crops. Continued investment in field training and digital outreach will accelerate adoption, positioning biological crop protection as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. Such progress also supports regulatory acceptance and market demand for low‑residue produce.