ECOspray Limited
Ecospray is an independent biopesticide business based in the UK. We have researched, developed and registered an extract of garlic as a pesticide with registrations currently on a range of crops in over 15 countries globally with a further 9 countries pending. Ecospray was formed in 1996 by two farming families based in the east of England - the Van Cutsem and Knight families. It all started on a golf course in the USA where `garlic` had been used to reduce damage caused by insect pests. Founding director of Ecopray, Hugh van Cutsem, enquired what had been used and why. The explanation he was given intrigued him. An opportunity was seen and on return to the UK product was ordered from the USA where it was tested on a range of pests and it seemed to perform well.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Agriculture
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
About Us
Our History
So a second batch of material was ordered from the same source but on this occasion it failed to work! Interest was piqued! Clearly there was something going on but nobody appeared to know what it was. Research was started in collaboration with the University of East Anglia to investigate exactly what was contained within the garlic extract, why and how it caused pesticidal effects – Ecospray Limited was born!
Today we have world class patented IP that have enabled registrations as a plant protection products for use as a nematicide, insecticide and fungicide in a variety of crops as well as football pitches and of course golf courses.
Nematode Facts
Nematodes damage and weaken plant root systems leading to an increase in the risk of root diseases.
There are many different types of plant parasitic nematodes, knowing which one is causing a problem may affect timing of treatment applications.
Our Technology
When mechanical stress is applied to a garlic clove it allows the Alliinase enzyme and Allicin molecules present in the tissue to react which ultimately creates a range of diallyl polysulfides (DAS). It is some of these substances contained within the garlic extract that have pesticidal properties.
These sulphur containing molecules attack and destroy low molecular weight thiols or their analogues which are found in all animals and fungi by causing oxidative stress.
When the diallyl polysulfides react with the cellular LMW thiols it causes a cascade of other chemical reactions that rapidly impact on many cellular functions causing death.
Nematodes, Fungi and insect eggs and larvae are all killed on absorption of polysulfides and the resulting oxidative damage. It is a no return chemical reaction with resistance considered extremely unlikely due to its complex mode of action.
Extensive trials on a range of crops such as carrots, parsnips, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, aubergines, courgettes and melons has demonstrated efficacy as a soil applied treatment on pathogenic nematodes
Made from food grade garlic extract and with a zero residue profile (after all we eat garlic) they are increasingly a product of choice as part of both residue reduction and anti-resistance strategies.
Efficacy against pathogenic fungi such as Pythium spp., certain Fusarium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani are now being explored along with the impact on a range of insect eggs and larvae.
Registrations are now being extended to include impact on soil diseases.
Too often the need to preserve fertility and the requirements of crop protection have been at opposite ends of a spectrum and seen as often incompatible objectives.
Pathogenic nematodes alone account of $100bn of crop losses alone each year (source: society of nematology 2015).
Consequently the need to protect plant root systems from the damage caused by these pests is crucially important.
Research has demonstrated that use of Ecospray products on soils to suppress nematodes (as well as other pathogens) while enabling crop yield and quality does not have a long term damaging effect on soil health.
Ecospray products are therefore an important part of a soil health strategy – better, stronger root systems means plants better able to withstand stress from pest and disease attack as well stress from as abiotic factors such as drought and flooding. Soils are more likely to be preserved thus aiding sustainability for the future.