DAVIS, CA--(Marketwire - November 02, 2011) - AgraQuest Inc. announced today that its soil fungicide, SERENADE SOIL® has been awarded the Best New Biopesticide at the 2011 Agrow Awards. The Agrow Awards, the preeminent technology prizes awarded in global crop protection, are presented by Agrow, a leading information provider for the industry. The winners were announced November 1, 2011 in London.
Introduced into the market early last year, SERENADE SOIL is a unique soil fungicide combining control on important yield-robbing diseases with root colonization and plant growth effects, giving growers a new unique approach to both protect and enhance yields. In its first year of sales, SERENADE SOIL was widely adopted by U.S. potato producers for control of Phytophthora infestans and common scab.
“We’re very pleased that Agrow has recognized the SERENADE SOIL technology,” said Ashish Malik, AgraQuest’s Senior VP of Marketing, who accepted the award in London. “Growers face the challenge of producing sufficient food to supply our increasing population and want to do that in ways that balance protection of the environment with farm profitability. SERENADE SOIL fungicide’s proven disease control and yield results give growers a tool to do that.”
SERENADE SOIL is also registered in the USA for control of yield robbing soil diseases in fruiting vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, as well as legumes, peanuts and cucurbits. Regulatory approvals are pending in Mexico, and the product will be registered in key agricultural markets around the world.
AgraQuest was additionally honored alongside Monsanto for their research and development partnership, which was nominated to the short-list of Best Industry Collaborations. The alliance focuses on the discovery of microbial pesticides for use as seed treatments.
“Conventional seed treatments are highly effective against early season diseases and pests. The next generation of biologically based seed treatments will provide persistent control of mid- and late season pests and pathogens in a sustainable fashion,” said Dr. Jonathan Margolis, AgraQuest’s Chief Technology Officer.
In 2010, AgraQuest won the Agrow award for Best Manager with Strategic Vision for its CEO Marcus Meadows-Smith.
AgraQuest, Inc. is a global biotechnology company that focuses on discovering, manufacturing and marketing highly effective pest management products to increase agricultural production. As a leader in green agriculture and the emerging low chem sector, AgraQuest is at the forefront of changes in food production by providing growers with solutions that offer best-in-class control while reducing the chemical load on the environment and creating sustainable agriculture opportunities. Through its Agriculture and BioInnovations divisions, AgraQuest focuses on natural products designed for pest control and yield improvements for global agriculture, the garden and in food safety markets. For more information on the role AgraQuest innovations will play in Better Food and a Better World, visit www.agraquest.com.
