Canadian firm , bee Vectoring Technology , is developing a system for applying biopesticides to crops which could see bees replacing sprayers . The method uses a specially designed tray placed within hives , which coats the bees in a biopesticide power . The bees then carry the tray to the plant and inoculate it . The system is already being used on crops of strawberries and blueberries . Successful bees could see a commercialised system being used to manage sclerotinia in oilseed crops within the next two years . The powder , also developed by the company , contains a naturally occurring beneficial fungus and uses no water . Trials in sunflowers with the same disease also showed a 25 % increase in yields .
Canadian firm, Bee Vectoring Technology, is developing a system for delivering biopesticides to crops which could see bees replacing sprayers. The method uses a specially designed tray placed within hives, which coats the bees in a biopesticide power. The bees then carry the powder to the plant and inoculate it. The system is already being used on crops of strawberries and blueberries. Successful trials could see a commercialised system being used to manage sclerotinia in oilseed rape within the next two years. The powder, also developed by the company, contains a naturally occurring beneficial fungus and uses no water. Trials in sunflowers with the same disease also showed a 25% increase in yields.