"Rostov region is implementing a biological method of plant protection from pests using gabrobran."

In the Rostov region, the habrobracon is cultivated on an industrial scale to combat more than 60 types of pests, including the cotton bollworm, whitefly, moth, cutworm, meadow moth, and others.

"The female habrobracon finds a caterpillar, injects a paralyzing poison into its body, then lays its eggs. The larvae then emerge within a day and feed on the pests. This insect has been used in open fields for 4 years, and now it has been decided to use it in greenhouses. The biological method reduces the use of pesticides on both plants and soil. It improves the quality of the produce and increases crop yield," explained the acting head of the branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Rosselhoztsentr" in the Rostov region, Natalya Shmeleva.

The habrobracon is safe for humans, ecosystems, domestic and wild animals, as well as insects, except for pests. The main purpose of using these insects is to protect crops and reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture.

Another important direction of the work of the branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Rosselhoztsentr" in the Rostov region is to promote domestic varieties and hybrids of vegetable crops. For example, the branch, together with the breeding and seed center in the Oktyabrsky district, is implementing a project to develop exclusively Russian varieties and hybrids of vegetable crops.