Contract Testing for Biologicals

Ag Metrics Group provides biologics testing services for both traditional agricultural chemicals and new biological/organic products. By integrating biological innovations, growers can complement their use of chemical controls, enhance yields, and protect crops from insect pests and diseases long term.

Most Common Types of Ag Biologicals:
Microbials 
Microorganisms that perform beneficial, symbiotic, and synergistic functions in a cropping system to enhance crop growth and soil health. These species include viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
Macrobials or Invertebrate Biocontrol Agents 
Living organisms, such as entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria, entomophagous nematodes and predatory insects and mites, are used to control insect pests. Various hyper parasitic fungi and microbial competitors can suppress or prevent the establishment of crop diseases.
Semiochemicals Chemical substances produced by organisms that elicit a physiological or behavioral response that are used in control programs for crop pests. Common examples are pheromones and allelochemicals, which function to attract or repel pests.
Natural Substances 
Products derived from living organisms found in nature, such as plant extracts, various secondary metabolites of phytochemistry, and even inorganic substances such as minerals may act as control agents against crop pests.
Ag Metrics Group’s team of researchers help manufacturers obtain critical efficacy data from well-designed trials in the laboratory, greenhouse, microplot, and closely managed field plantings.

Our expertise extends across a broad spectrum of cropping systems in several key American agricultural districts. Ag Metrics Group routinely tests a wide spectrum of parameters that are relevant for measuring efficacy of ag biologicals in the agricultural areas where they will ultimately be used.
  • Effect of Abiotic stressors on plant growth
  • Overall Crop Quality (yield, flower retention)
  • Photosynthetic Activity
  • Post-harvest Fruit Quality
  • Pest Control (in-vitro and in-situ)
  • Root Growth
  • Vegetative Growth
We are committed to delivering the highest quality experimental data through the integration of state-of-the-art instrumentation into trial work. Our cutting-edge tools for quantifying plant metrics in response to biologicals includes:
Root Scanning Technologies: By utilizing advanced root scanning technology, we can precisely analyze and quantify root growth patterns, biomass, architecture, pest injury, or benefits of biostimulants. The root system responds to its environment through morphological changes, and measuring these parameters can provide valuable insights into plant response, and with contrast techniques, even nutrient uptake efficiency.
Photosynthetic Gas Exchange & Chlorophyll a Fluorescence: Our agronomy labs include advanced porometry instrumentation allowing precise measurement of photosynthetic activity, stomatal functioning, and internal leaf tissue assessments of physiological responses to environmental stimuli.
Dehydrators: We employ specialized dehydrators to facilitate drying and preservation of plant samples, ensuring accurate and reliable data for molecular studies and plant biomass metrics.
Molecular Analysis: Through molecular techniques, we can delve deep into living systems, enabling us to identify key indicators of biological mechanisms and help optimize the agricultural utility of new products. These insights are also useful in determining the mode of action of biologicals.
Advanced Laboratories: Plant pathology, Nematology, Insectary-backed Entomology, and Agronomy crop metrics programs are supported by a strong laboratory management and instrumentation system.
By leveraging these advanced research technologies and experimental protocols, Ag Metrics Group delivers unparalleled precision, reliability, and innovation to R&D programs with biologicals. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your agricultural contract research needs.

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