Study: Biological nematicides fastest growing control method for crops

Global market research and consulting firm Kline issued a report this week showing that since 2009 biological nematicides are the fastest growing control methods for field crops, with most of the gains coming from the United States.

The third edition of Kline's Nematicide Market: Global Market Analysis and Opportunities report showed that sales of nematicides grew 20 percent since 2009 and totaled just more than $1 billion in 2014. Sales are expected to slow, though, growing at a compound annual rate of 2.7 percent in the next 10 years, reaching $1.3 billion in 2024.

Chemical nematicides continue to be the largest product type used in 2014, but chemical and fumigant use have declined dramatically since 2011, as biologicals have become popular.

The report said nematicide seed treatments are expected to continue to be used on a spectrum of field crops. This is in keeping with the trend to protect higher value seeds engineered with new traits. 

Driven by the robust performance of Bacillus firmus, biological nematicides have grown substantially. Bacillus firmus is labeled for seed treatment of corn, cotton, soybeans and sugar beets, accounting for more than 80 percent of the biological nematicide sales.