Pro Farm Group Launches ARINO Insecticide/ Nematicide to Protect Potatoes from Soil-Dwelling Pests

Pro Farm Group introduces ARINO™ insecticide/ nematicide, for the management of nematodes and wireworms in potatoes, onions and other bulb and tuberous vegetables. 

Arino is powered by RinoTec™ technology, a novel biocontrol agent that stops root feeding of plant-parasitic nematodes, wireworms, white grubs and other costly pests. RinoTec has received U.S. EPA registration, and Arino will be used in on-farm demonstrations during the 2025 growing season in the United States.

J.R. Abele, biocontrols manager at RinoTec:

"Arino is an easy-to-use, effective, non-synthetic alternative to current in-furrow pest control products. It has a user-friendly, environmentally friendly safety profile and fills a need in the marketplace for potato growers, processors and exporters alike. Helping protect crops from yield loss and blemishes that reduce the value of the crop."

Arino is applied at planting as an in-furrow liquid treatment. It provides activity against Columbia root-knot nematode, lesion nematode and northern root-knot nematode, as well as white grubs and wireworms.

• Within the soil, Arino is absorbed by roots and moves through the seedling’s developing root system, protecting at a crucial developmental stage.
• When ingested by the pest during root feeding, it acts as a stomach poison, stopping pest feeding and the resulting damage that reduces crop yields and lowers crop quality and marketability.
• In the case of root-knot nematodes, Arino prevents the formation of the pests’ feeding sites, leading to the nematodes’ eventual starvation.
• RinoTec also generates a reaction within the plant roots that repels nematodes to help further protect seedlings.

J.R. Abele:

"During the past five years of university and independent research testing, yield data and crop quality evaluations show pest-control programs in potatoes that utilize RinoTec technology in-furrow at planting provide nematode and wireworm control equal to or better than the typical grower standard."

"RinoTec technology within Arino is groundbreaking technology due to its activity on soil insects and nematodes. It offers growers a safer, effective alternative to broad-spectrum solutions like pyrethroids and carbamates."

The naturally sourced, biological-based components powering Arino insecticide/nematicide feature:

• Exemption from tolerance and established MRLs.
• Tank-mix compatibility with a wide range of crop protection products and fertilizers including 10-34-0
• No buffer requirement when soil-applied at planting
• Minimal personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, a four-hour restricted entry interval (REI), and a 0-day pre-harvest interval (PHI) upon application
• No closed mixing system requirement, providing convenience not previously available from other liquid in-furrow insecticides
• A low impact on beneficials and pollinators

Shelf-stable formulation and storage characteristics similar to other crop protection productsPro Farm Group, based in Davis, California, is an industry leader in the discovery, development, and commercialization of naturally derived pest management and plant health technologies for the agriculture and ornamentals industries. 

The new products will join the ProFarm portfolio, which includes Venerate® bioinsecticide, Regalia® bio-fungicide, Emergen™ L biological fertilizer, and others. 

Arino will be available for use in 2026 pending state registrations.