Soil biofumigation platform continues to show promising results across multiple continents.
Postharvest activities in potatoes, fruits and vegetables have demonstrated initial efficacy and work is now focused on application, timing, dose rates and residues.
Bioherbicide optimization and formulation work advances.
17 September 2022, Canada:MustGrow Biologics Corp., and its global agriculture partners continue to drive MustGrow’s organic mustard-derived crop protection and food preservation technology forward through field trials, development work and regulatory approval strategies in key global agricultural regions. Publicly-disclosed programs include:
Sumitomo Corporation Exclusive evaluation agreement in the Americas for preplant soil fumigation, bioherbicide, postharvest and food preservation for potatoes and bananas. Sumitomo Corporation is funding and driving all field development, including toxicology, safety, efficacy, and regulatory work necessary for commercialization. (Press release link)
Bayer Exclusive evaluation agreement in Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa for preplant soil fumigation, bioherbicide applications and postharvest food preservation of potatoes including sprout inhibition. The first year of the evaluation is focused on the pre-plant soil fumigant application. Bayer is funding and driving all laboratory, field, regulatory, and market assessments in the target regions. (Press release link)
JanssenPMP, a division of Johnson & Johnson-ownedJanssen Pharmaceutica NV Global exclusive evaluation agreement for postharvest storage preservation of fruits and vegetables, excluding grains, potatoes, bananas and shipping container fumigation. Janssen PMP is funding and driving all application testing and development work. (Press release link)
NexusBioAg, a division of Univar Solutions Exclusive marketing and distribution agreement in Canada for canola (clubroot disease) and pulse crops (aphanomyces disease). NexusBioAg is funding and driving all field development and regulatory work necessary for commercialization. (Press release link)
GLOBAL PROGRAM ADVANCEMENTS:
Soil Biofumigation
Sumitomo Corporation has continued to generate data across multiple crops, evaluating application timing, methods, and dose rates. Efficacy data generated across multiple countries and programs remains positive and has already resulted in new country expansions and program extension. MustGrow and Sumitomo Corporation are continually assessing market opportunities for further regional and application expansions. Utilizing MustGrow’s platform technology, Sumitomo Corporation currently has field trials and regulatory development work ongoing in the US, Mexico, and Chile.
In the US, EPA product registration work continues to advance, with Sumitomo Corporation playing a pivotal role in the registration approval process. In addition, Mexico registration work is progressing forward, as there have now been two consecutive years of successful field trials with Sumitomo Corporation. Mexico is a key global agriculture region both in size and strategic location. In Chile, registration work has commenced with the country approving an Experimental Use Permit to Sumitomo Corporation and MustGrow for field testing and registration activities.
Bayer’s initial laboratory and greenhouse studies utilizing MustGrow’s mustard-derived technology have been promising. Building on these positive results, Bayer and MustGrow have new trials underway and further studies planned across Europe, Asia and Africa. Bayer is evaluating registration pathways for multiple regions.
Building on their 2021 field trial program for treatment of canola (clubroot disease) and pulse crops (aphanomyces disease), NexusBioAg and MustGrow signed an Exclusive Marketing and Distribution Agreement in Canada. NexusBioAg intends to trial MustGrow’s technology in its 2023 BioAg Advantage program (“BAT”), which are wide-scale field trials conducted at the farmer level. NexusBioAg leverages its BAT program to introduce new and exciting potential ‘portfolio’ products to large Canadian farmers.
Postharvest Food Preservation
Harnessing MustGrow’s mustard-derived biological agent as a postharvest fruit and vegetable application, Janssen PMP has demonstrated initial success in decay, fungal, and bacterial disease efficacy. Advancing to the next stage, Janssen PMP’s testing program will focus on phytotoxicity, residues, application rates, application methods and dose timing. As food preservation is a critical global issue, reducing postharvest fruit and vegetable losses could substantially increase worldwide food availability.
MustGrow had previously tested its organic mustard-based technology and outperformed leading synthetic chemical standards for treatment of stored potatoes for both Fusarium dry rot disease and sprouting. No disease/sprouting combination solutions currently exist in the marketplace, making MustGrow’s application unique in addressing both issues simultaneously. Leading sprout inhibiter chlorpropham (CIPC) had been banned by the European Union as of Oct. 8, 2020. Sumitomo Corporation is advancing this program in the US with trials and data review ongoing.
Bioherbicide
MustGrow’s bioherbicide program is now focused on extraction optimization and formulation work. Perfomance and efficacy knowledge utilizing the mustard-derived Thiocyanate molecule, both internally and externally, has demonstrated potential impact as both a stand alone and combination herbicide in multiple markets. MustGrow is focused on production parameters, improving formulations for application flexibility, and the potential to combine MustGrow’s bioherbicide with leading chemicals.
