Koppert’s revolutionary release system for its biological solution, Mirical, won first prize in the prestigious international Fruit Logistica Innovation Technology Award. The award, which was presented by Messe Berlin GmbH and Fruitnet Media International in Berlin on the 9th of February, honours outstanding innovations in the entire fruit and vegetable supply chain, from production to the point of sale.
Accepting the award on behalf of Koppert, product manager Tim Bossinga said that innovation lay at the core of Koppert’s DNA and is a result of its continuous product development. He thanked the multidisciplinary team for its consistent achievements.
Game Changing Innovation
Changing product packaging from a plastic bottle to specially designed corrugated cardboard strips that form a natural habitat for the Mirical beneficial bugs, has created a highly efficient and sustainable release system that is much easier to use. The cardboard strips are fully compostable resulting in 99% less plastic.
The cardboard corrugations provide a shelter for the predatory bugs, enabling them to ‘hide’ and better distribute themselves during transportation. As a result, the predatory bugs are protected during transportation and arrive at their destination in optimal condition. The packaging also reduces clumping and improves the distribution of the bugs in the crop. This all contributes to improved performance and maximum results in whitefly control.
The Mirical strips are easy to distribute and are hung over stalks in fully-grown plants. The strips save labour time, make dosing more accurate, and can be more located more easily for monitoring purposes.
Generalist Pest Predator
Mirical is a generalist predator with a preference for greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), tobacco whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), eggs and caterpillars of tomato leaf miner moth (Tuta absoluta) and other moths. They also feed on two spotted spider mites (Tetranychusurticae), leaf miner larvae (Liriomyza spp.). Since its successful launch in France last year, Mirical has been lauded by growers for its improved performance and ease of use, with some growers reporting a reduction in application time of 50%.