Canadian firm, Bee Vectoring Technology, is developing a system for delivering biopesticides to crops which could see bees replacing sprayers. The company has developed an automated spray system, called the BeeVac, that uses sensors and cameras to detect when it detects pollen. 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.
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.