Meet Helgard Van Rooyen
Andermatt Madumbi
Senior Biospecialist

Specialisation

Helgard Van Rooyen is a seasoned Biospecialist who focuses on Grapes, Row Crops, and Pome fruit, servicing the Western and Northern Cape regions. His expertise is instrumental in combating prevalent pests and diseases, particularly fungal diseases like Powdery Mildew and Botrytis in grapes, as well as Mealybugs, Thrips, and Spider mites affecting both grapes and pome fruit.

Helgard’s Top Biological Solutions

ROOT HEALTH:

Helgard recommends RhizoVital for permanent crops due to its superior adaptation to Western Cape soils, and Eco-T Ezi-Flo for row crops, which consistently delivers excellent results.

Plant Vitality:

His top pick is AgriSil, praised for its consistent improvement in crop quality and shelf life season after season.

Pest Management:

He prefers Eco-Bb for its broad-spectrum control of soil-phase pests and its proven efficacy.

Disease Management:

Eco-77 stands out for Helgard due to its strong residual action, performing as well as or even better than conventional products.

Insights & Trends

Helgard notes an increasing trend in the use of biostimulants to boost plant vitality in commercial agriculture. While challenges such as cost and efficacy comparisons with conventional products are common, the overall benefits often outweigh the costs. He stresses the importance of thorough scouting and understanding field conditions when initiating a biological control program.

Advice for Farmers

For those interested in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs incorporating biological solutions, Helgard advises starting small, building confidence, and gradually expanding based on what works best for their specific needs.

If you are in the Western and Northern Cape regions, contact Helgard Van Rooyen for expert advice on your crops: helgard.vanrooyen@andermatt.co.za