By Roseli Andrion | Agência FAPESP – The constant use of synthetic pesticides on crops has a serious side effect: it selects for and strengthens highly resistant weeds. With each harvest, the continuous use of these products eliminates the weaker plants and leaves only the most tolerant ones. According to data from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) and the International Center for Information on Resistant Weeds, species such as caruru (amaranth), buva (fleabane), and capim-amargoso (sourgrass) are causing losses of 50% to 70% in the country’s agricultural productivity.

In response to this challenge, Dana Agro, a startup based in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, developed an innovative bioherbicide made from plant extracts and organic active ingredients that can overcome weed resistance to synthetic pesticides. This technology optimizes field management, reducing the need for synthetic pesticides in agribusiness by up to 50%. This prevents synthetic residues in food and preserves soil and groundwater, said Dana Meschede, an agricultural engineer and the company’s founder.

“The operational cost of applying the bioherbicide is comparable to that of conventional treatments, but there’s a benefit in reducing the number of tractor passes through the field for spraying,” Meschede said in an interview with Agência FAPESP.

According to Meschede, conventional herbicides focus their action on a single enzymatic target in invasive plants, facilitating the emergence of immune populations through mutation with repeated use of the same active ingredient. In contrast, the bioherbicide formula they developed acts on multiple points in plant metabolism. By attacking the pest through various biological pathways simultaneously, the product prevents the selection of tolerant plants and achieves a control efficiency of between 85% and 90%. According to the agricultural engineer, no chemical option on the market today can match this level.

“Our technology has a mode of action that controls existing resistance and prevents the emergence of new tolerant plants,” she explained.

Developing the solution required a decade of testing and reformulations with support from FAPESP’s Innovative Research in Small Businesses Program (PIPE). In field trials, the researchers evaluated the selectivity of the bioherbicide – that is, its ability to eliminate weeds without harming the crop. The tests showed that while the product acts comprehensively on corn, it exhibits selective action on soybeans, controlling only specific types of weeds. To avoid foliar stress, or visible damage or a temporary reduction in the development of the main crop’s leaves, the formulation is still being fine-tuned. For this reason, the product is currently recommended for two strategic applications: pre-plant desiccation (clearing the area before sowing the new crop) and inter-row management (targeted application between crop rows to protect the main plant).

Patent filed

The technology has already sparked commercial interest in international markets with the patent application filed in Brazil. In South America, potential buyers in Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay have expressed interest in the solution, as crops in these countries suffer from severe weed resistance. Additionally, the startup has formed a partnership in Austin, Texas and is negotiating with companies in Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.

This global expansion aligns with international requirements such as the “Farm-to-Table Strategy” guideline of the European Green Deal, which aims to reduce chemical pesticide use by 50% by 2030. According to Meschede, the product is adopted primarily because of its proven effectiveness in pest management and cost compatibility with agricultural operations, although the international market seeks alternatives adapted to strict environmental regulations. “Our technology is adopted by farms because of the results it delivers in pest management. In addition to its technical performance, the organic formula protects the health of both the applicator and the end consumer,” he stated.

The direct economic impact of pest resistance to chemical pesticides exceeds R$ 9 billion per year in Brazil. Caruru, for example, exhibits resistance to up to five different control mechanisms, according to Meschede. “To avoid that, farmers sometimes mix up to five products in the same area, applying them sequentially – a practice that stresses the crop and can reduce the harvest by an additional 20%,” he said.

Next steps

The next step for the startup involves applying nanoparticle technology to the active ingredients. Meschede noted that reducing the particles to the nanoscale – one million times smaller than a millimeter – will optimize foliar absorption, allowing for even lower dosages per hectare.

In the long term, the company plans to expand its product line to include pest and disease control for agriculture, an industry under increasing pressure from climate change.