STRAWBERRY CROPS UNDER THREAT FROM THRIPS

STRAWBERRY CROPS UNDER THREAT FROM THRIPS

Strawberry crops are highly sensitive to various pests, with thrips being one of the most problematic. This pest was first detected in Spain in November 2020 in several municipalities of Huelva province (Andalusia), marking the first detection at the European level. Between 2020 and 2022, new detections of the pest occurred in the Andalusian provinces of Huelva and Seville, and in 2024, the pest was reported in the Valencian Community and the provinces of Córdoba and Málaga. In 2022, it was detected for the first time in Portugal (EUROPHYT, 2024).

These tiny insects can cause severe damage to plants, affecting both the quality and quantity of production. Their feeding habits lead to leaf deformations, silvery spots on fruits, and a significant reduction in crop yield. Additionally, thrips can act as virus vectors, further worsening the situation.

The Negative Impact of Pesticides

To combat these pests, many farmers resort to chemical pesticides. However, these products can lead to insect resistance, impact soil biodiversity, and pose risks to consumer health and the environment. Additionally, excessive pesticide use can disrupt the biological balance of the ecosystem, reducing beneficial insect populations and favoring the emergence of new pests.

 

HEFE Fertilizer’s Biofertilizer Solution

In response to these challenges, HEFE Fertilizer has developed BASIGEL, a biofertilizer formulated with highly efficient microorganisms that help defend against plant pathogens. Thanks to its innovative composition, BASYGEL is quickly absorbed by the plant, preventing the development of insect-borne diseases and promoting healthy growth.

One of the major benefits of BASYGEL is its rapid action. Studies have shown that in just four days, it can activate the plant’s defense system, protecting the crop throughout all growth stages. Additionally, it is not only effective for strawberries but can be applied to any type of crop, providing a sustainable and safe solution for farmers.

Additional Prevention Strategies

To minimize the presence of thrips in strawberry crops, the following strategies are recommended:

✔️ Implement crop rotation to prevent pest proliferation.

✔️ Use blue sticky traps to monitor and reduce thrip populations.
✔️ Maintain proper irrigation and fertilization management, ensuring plants receive adequate nutrition with products like those from HEFE Fertilizer.

 

HEFE Fertilizer’s Global Commitment

HEFE Fertilizer, headquartered in Rota, Andalusia, Spain, is a leader in the agrobiological sector, with a presence in over 30 countries. Our mission is to offer innovative and eco-friendly solutions for crop care, ensuring farmer productivity and environmental sustainability.

If you want to protect your crops effectively and sustainably, BASIGEL is the ideal solution. Discover the benefits of applied biology in agriculture with HEFE Fertilizer!

 

Would you like a solution tailored to your crop’s needs?

 

📩 Contact us today!

 

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The Evolution of Fertilizers in Sustainable Agriculture

The Evolution of Fertilizers in Sustainable Agriculture

The Industrial Revolution and Chemical Fertilizers

The Industrial Revolution brought significant advances in agricultural production, including the manufacturing of synthetic fertilizers. With the development of chemistry, farmers gained access to more efficient and easy-to-use fertilizers, increasing crop productivity.

1840-1850: German chemist Justus von Liebig revolutionized agriculture by discovering that plants require specific nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, for optimal growth. This theory laid the foundation for chemical fertilizers.

1900s: The mass production of synthetic fertilizers began, including nitrates and phosphates, which were applied in large quantities to improve crop yields.

While these artificial fertilizers marked a significant milestone, their widespread use only began in the 20th century, bringing both progress and challenges.


Synthetic Fertilizers and Widespread Use

As agriculture modernized, synthetic fertilizers became a primary tool for farmers worldwide. Ammonium nitrate and other chemical fertilizers allowed for massive agricultural productivity, especially during the Green Revolution of the mid-20th century.

1950s: During this period, synthetic fertilizers like ammonium nitrate were widely adopted, enabling farmers to grow significantly larger quantities of food, particularly in developing countries.

1970s-80s: However, excessive fertilizer use raised concerns about environmental impact. Increased water pollution and soil degradation became pressing issues, prompting a reevaluation of fertilization models.

While synthetic fertilizers offered short-term benefits, they also introduced long-term challenges that remain a topic of discussion today.


Modern Fertilizers: Sustainability and Technology

In recent decades, the fertilizer industry has shifted toward sustainability and efficiency. Today’s fertilizers are designed not only to enhance crop productivity but also to protect the environment and promote more responsible farming practices.

  • Controlled-release fertilizers: These fertilizers release nutrients gradually, preventing nutrient overload in the soil and reducing the risk of pollution. They optimize nutrient absorption, ensuring better plant performance.
  • Organic and biological fertilizers: With increasing demand for organic products, biological fertilizers using beneficial microorganisms and organic matter are becoming popular. These fertilizers improve soil quality and support sustainable farming.

Technology and sustainability are now at the forefront, with leading companies working to develop more eco-friendly and effective products.


The Future of Fertilizers: Innovation and Sustainability

The future of fertilizers is shaped by technological advances that are redefining agriculture. Nanotechnology, smart fertilizers, and precision farming systems are among the most promising developments.

  • Nanotechnology: Applying nanotechnology to fertilizers will allow much more efficient nutrient absorption by plants, reducing the amount of fertilizer needed and minimizing environmental impact.
  • Precision agriculture: Using sensors and advanced technology, farmers will be able to tailor fertilizer applications to the specific needs of each crop, maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste.

These innovations promise not only to make fertilizers more effective but also to make them more environmentally friendly, helping to mitigate climate change and soil degradation.


Conclusion

From rudimentary fertilization methods to today’s advanced innovations, the evolution of fertilizers has been a testament to humanity’s progress in agricultural science and technology. Each stage of this evolution has enabled farmers to improve the quality and quantity of their harvests, meeting the growing food demands of an ever-increasing global population.

At Hefe Fertilizer, we are committed to a more sustainable and efficient future for agriculture. Our mission is to offer high-quality products that not only optimize crop performance but also protect the environment and promote more responsible farming.

If you’d like to learn more about our fertilizers and how they can help improve your crops, feel free to get in touch with us.

Hefe Fertilizer: Climate Change and Commitment

Hefe Fertilizer: Climate Change and Commitment

Climate change is profoundly transforming global agriculture. Phenomena such as more powerful hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and heatwaves are disrupting agricultural production by altering crop cycles, reducing water availability, and increasing the risk of diseases and pests. These changes force farmers to quickly adapt to mitigate damage and maintain food security in an increasingly unpredictable environment. At Hefe Fertilizer, we are committed to this issue and strive to do our part in helping the agricultural sector as much as possible.

Extreme weather events like hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, severely impacting agriculture. Hurricanes and storms not only destroy crops but also damage infrastructure and cause floods that affect soil quality. Prolonged droughts limit access to water and reduce crop yields, while heatwaves negatively impact flowering and the growth of key plants. These extreme weather events put global agricultural production at risk, creating ever-greater challenges for farmers.

The most notable recent event is Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida in October 2024 and left a trail of destruction in other places like Spain. It is a clear example of how extreme weather events, driven by climate change, are affecting agriculture. This hurricane caused devastation to key crops like citrus and vegetables, also damaging essential infrastructure for agricultural production. The heavy rains and winds not only destroy immediate harvests but also deteriorate soil quality and wash away vital nutrients. Additionally, the economic losses for farmers can take years to recover, severely impacting long-term production.

The economic impact of extreme weather events, like Hurricane Milton, is devastating for farmers. Crop losses not only affect immediate production but also create a ripple effect on local economies. Damaged infrastructure, such as greenhouses, irrigation systems, and storage facilities, increases recovery costs, while product shortages can drive up prices. Farmers face greater difficulties in securing affordable insurance and accessing emergency funds, further complicating their ability to recover from these disasters. This cycle of losses affects both large producers and small farms, creating a deep impact on rural economic security.

To face the challenges posed by climate change, farmers are adopting various adaptation and resilience strategies. One of the main measures is crop diversification, which helps reduce the risk of losses due to extreme weather events. They are also implementing more efficient irrigation technologies and water conservation practices to combat prolonged droughts. Additionally, many are exploring the use of heat- and disease-resistant seeds, allowing them to maintain productivity in adverse conditions. These initiatives, along with government and organizational support, are essential to helping farmers survive in an increasingly volatile environment and ensuring future food security. At Hefe Fertilizer, we are at the forefront of innovation for improving sustainable crop production to work alongside the agricultural sector and address all the challenges that may arise.

With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, such as Hurricane Milton, it is clear that farmers face unprecedented challenges. Agriculture is vital for economies and communities, but its future is in danger if significant measures are not taken. It is crucial to promote policies that support agricultural resilience and sustainability, ensuring that farmers not only survive but thrive in a changing environment. By raising awareness of these challenges and promoting collective actions, we can work toward a more robust agricultural system capable of facing the effects of climate change. At Hefe Fertilizer, we are committed to constantly adapting to be a reliable partner where all farmers can rely on for support.

The EU and sustainability: Chemical-free and recyclable packaging

The EU and sustainability: Chemical-free and recyclable packaging

In an ambitious move towards sustainability and environmental protection, the European Union (EU) has recently announced its decision to require all food packaging marketed in its territory to be recyclable and free of harmful chemicals. This initiative, which seeks to address the environmental challenges associated with packaging waste and chemical contamination, marks a significant milestone in the EU’s efforts to promote more responsible and environmentally friendly business practices.

The announcement comes at a crucial time, when public awareness of environmental issues, such as plastic pollution and exposure to hazardous chemicals, is on the rise. With growing concern about the impact of food packaging on human health and the environment, the EU has taken the lead in implementing concrete measures to address these problems.

One of the main provisions of this new regulation is the obligation for all food packaging to be recyclable. According to data provided by the European Commission, it is estimated that currently only 30% of plastic food packaging used in the EU is recyclable, which means that the vast majority of this packaging ends up in landfills or in the environment, contributing to pollution and waste of natural resources. With this new regulation, this figure is expected to increase significantly and reach a 100% recyclability rate by 2030.

In addition to the recyclability requirement, the EU is also cracking down on the use of harmful chemicals in food packaging. According to a report by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), it is estimated that more than 600,000 tons of hazardous chemicals are used annually in the manufacture of food packaging in the EU. These substances, which include phthalates, bisphenols and PFASs, have been the subject of concern due to their potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. The new regulation is expected to drastically reduce the use of these chemicals and ensure the safety of food packaging for European consumers.

This initiative will not only benefit European consumers by ensuring the safety of the food products they consume, but will also have a positive impact on the food industry and the packaging sector. Packaging manufacturers and food producers are expected to quickly adapt their practices to comply with the new regulations, which will create opportunities for innovation and investment in more sustainable packaging solutions.

In summary, the European Union’s decision to require all food packaging to be recyclable and chemical-free represents an important step forward in the fight against pollution and the promotion of more responsible business practices. While the challenges are real, the long-term benefits to human health and the environment fully justify these efforts. The EU is setting a precedent for the rest of the world in sustainability and environmental protection, demonstrating that it is possible to strike a balance between economic development and preserving our planet for future generations.