Australian vegetable growers will soon have a powerful solution to one of their most damaging pests, with the introduction of FMC’s new biological nematicide, Catulia®.
Root-knot nematodes and the ugly roots they create on produce are estimated to cost millions of dollars a year in lost production, with Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries saying the impact on sweet potato growers alone is up to 20% of farm gate value.
Following ten years of global and five years of Australian trials, FMC has applied to the APVMA for approval of an Integrated Pest Management-friendly alternative to traditional synthetic chemistries for root-knot nematodes, and will showcase Catulia® at grower events across the country.
At meetings in Stanthorpe and Bundaberg (Queensland) and Gingin (Western Australia), growers, agronomists and farm advisors can inspect treated and untreated trial crops, and meet FMC Senior Global Research Scientist, Dr Sylwia Fudali-Alves, one of the world’s leading experts in biological nematode management.
Hugh Armstrong, FMC’s Horticulture Technical Services Manager, said more than 500 global trials and 35 Australian field trials of Catulia™ have proven the biological nematicide is easy to apply and protects beneficial nematodes and insects in the soil.
“The big breakthrough for FMC is in Catulia® achieving the success of current synthetic chemistries, and we’ve seen similar efficacy across the country in trials on carrots, sweet potato, tomatoes, capsicum, and cucurbits,” Mr Armstrong said.
“In a landscape where synthetic nematicides have many limitations, Catulia® offers new biological control with great flexibility that can be used in an IPM strategy to avoid resistance, and we would expect it to be exempt from MRLs.
“While growers will initially seek to integrate it with their existing programs, we’ve seen very high levels of control from Catulia® under high pest pressure, and we’re confident that will mean goodbye to ugly produce.”
Catulia® contains patented strains of bacteria which have been selected for their natural nematicidal effects, which include the ability to colonise and protect the crop’s roots from attack, via multiple pathways.
In Bundaberg, growers will be able to see the data and in-field comparison of Catulia® with a range of different treatments, as well as combination trials with existing products.
Mr Armstrong said having Dr Fudali-Alves in attendance as Leader of FMC’s Nematicide Product Support & Renewal Group in Delaware, USA, provides growers and advisors with a unique opportunity to learn more about sustainable controls for nematodes.
“Nematologists are rare individuals – there are probably only five in Australia – so we are very lucky to host Sylwia, who is FMC’s in-house nematologist and has been very closely involved with proof of product studies for Catulia® in the laboratory and the glasshouse,” he said.
“Sylwia is passionate about translating academic research into practical solutions to address nematode pressure in a sustainable way, and will help growers to understand how Catulia™ delivers flexibility in their spray program.”
FMC has already applied to the APVMA for registration of Catulia® and Mr Armstrong said the company is hopeful of launching the product in 2026.
To showcase the effectiveness of FMC Catulia® bionematicide, field days will be held in three key growing regions:
- Granite Belt (QLD) Forum
- Monday 10 November at 4.30pm
- Carrot, cucumber, tomato and cucumber crop focus
- Location: Ballandean Estate Winery, 354 Sundown Rd, Ballandean, QLD. Food and drinks provided. Time in AEST.
- Bundaberg (QLD) field day
- Wednesday 12 November at 4pm
- Sweet potato, potato, carrot, tomato, capsicum and cucurbit crop focus
- Location: Agreco Research Farm, Paynes Rd, Alloway, QLD. BBQ and drinks provided. Timezone in AEST.
Click here to register for the Catulia® bionematicide event near you.
For more information about the trials, product development, and future availability, visit FMC’s website.
*Catulia® bionematicide and its patented strains of bacteria are not registered products or active constituents. An application has been made to the APVMA for approval of the strains and product.
*Catulia is a registered trademark of FMC Corporation and/or an affiliate.