AgraQuest Introduces Soil Fungicide
January 6, 2010 AgraQuest Inc. has launched of Serenade Soil, said to be the first soil fungicide based on its patented active ingredient Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713. The product will will be available in the U.S. for growers to control diseases such as Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium and Phytophthora in potatoes, tomatoes, and cucurbits.
Applied at planting, Serenade Soil is said to build a disease protection zone around the seed. As the seedling grows, the beneficial bacteria in the product continue to grow, attaching themselves to the roots of the plant, expanding the disease protection zone, resulting in higher-yielding fields and better quality fruits and vegetables.
“Proven over the past several years in numerous lab studies, field trials and large-scale grower demos, Serenade Soil delivers on our commitment to bring growers unique tools that deliver on AgraQuest’s promises: performance, flexibility and value,” said Ashish Malik, senior vice president of global marketing.
In April 2009, AgraQuest announced a license, supply, and distribution agreement with BASF for Serenade for agriculture applications outside of NAFTA.