Bee Vectoring Technologies (BVT) is a Canadian biotechnology company that has developed a unique and innovative approach to pest and disease management. BVT uses commercially reared bees to deliver a naturally occurring biological fungicide called Vectorite® to bloom crops.
Vectorite® is a powder that is applied to the bees’ furry bodies. As the bees forage from flower to flower, they transfer the Vectorite® to the blooms, where it coats the pistils and stamens. When the pollen from these blooms is transferred to other plants, the Vectorite® goes with it, providing protection against a wide range of fungal diseases.
BVT’s technology has a number of advantages over traditional chemical pesticides. First, it is highly targeted. Vectorite® is only delivered to the blooms of the crops being treated, which means that it has minimal impact on beneficial insects and other wildlife. Second, BVT’s technology is very effective. Vectorite® has been shown to control a wide range of fungal diseases, including powdery mildew, botrytis, and scab. Third, BVT’s technology is sustainable. Vectorite® is a naturally occurring substance, and it does not leave any residues on the treated crops.
BVT’s technology is currently being used by farmers to protect a wide range of crops, including almonds, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, and grapes. It is also being used by turfgrass managers to protect golf courses and other grassed areas from fungal diseases.
How BVT Works
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The BVT system is very simple to use. Farmers simply place BVT dispensers in their blooming crops. The dispensers contain Vectorite® powder, and the bees pick up the powder as they enter and exit the dispensers.
The bees then fly from flower to flower, transferring the Vectorite® powder to the blooms. The Vectorite® powder adheres to the pistils and stamens of the blooms, and it is then transferred to other plants when the pollen from these blooms is transferred.
The Vectorite® powder coats the pollen grains, and when the pollen germinates on another plant, the Vectorite® powder also germinates. The Vectorite® fungus then colonizes the plant’s tissues, providing protection against a wide range of fungal diseases.
Benefits of BVT
BVT’s technology offers a number of benefits to farmers and growers, including:
- Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides: BVT’s technology allows farmers to reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides, which can have a number of negative environmental impacts.
- Increased crop yields: BVT’s technology has been shown to increase crop yields by protecting plants from fungal diseases.
- Improved crop quality: BVT’s technology also helps to improve crop quality by reducing the incidence of blemishes and other defects caused by fungal diseases.
- Sustainable pest and disease management: BVT’s technology provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to pest and disease management.
Examples of BVT Success
Here are a few examples of how BVT’s technology has been used to successfully control pests and diseases:
- Almonds: BVT’s technology has been used to successfully control powdery mildew in almonds. A study conducted by the University of California, Davis found that BVT reduced powdery mildew infection by 50% and increased almond yields by 10%.
- Blueberries: BVT’s technology has also been used to successfully control botrytis in blueberries. A study conducted by Michigan State University found that BVT reduced botrytis infection by 40% and increased blueberry yields by 15%.
- Strawberries: BVT’s technology has also been used to successfully control powdery mildew and grey mould in strawberries. A study conducted by Cornell University found that BVT reduced powdery mildew and grey mould infection by 50% and increased strawberry yields by 20%.
BVT’s technology is a promising new approach to pest and disease management. It is highly targeted, effective, and sustainable. BVT’s technology is already being used by farmers and growers around the world to protect a wide range of crops.
BVT and the Environment
BVT’s technology is very environmentally friendly. Vectorite® is a naturally occurring substance, and it does not leave any residues on the treated crops. BVT’s technology also has minimal impact on beneficial insects and other wildlife.
BVT and the Future of Agriculture
BVT’s technology is part of a growing trend towards sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture is a system of farming that aims to produce food while protecting the environment. BVT’s technology helps farmers to reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides and to improve the sustainability of their operations.