A Spanish company has developed an innovative plastic film that repels insects that attack banana and plantain crops and reduces the need for pesticides.
Created by Reyenvas, the Banana-Bug uses natural and synthetic substances in the manufacture of the plastic material.
Up to now, banana producers have used perforated bags that are placed over plants at the beginning of the growth cycle to cover the fruit. The main drawback of this method, however, is that fruit bagging is vulnerable to insects that attack the fruit by entering through holes in the plastic. Once they have come into contact with the fruit these insects can cause various problems, such as depositing their eggs, damaging the skin or eating the fruit.
According Seville-based Reyenvas, the material benefits the environment as it means plants require less spraying with insecticides and pesticides.
