Davis, California, USA
August 5, 2010
AgraQuest, Inc.’s Dr. Magalie Guilhabert-Goya, Group Leader for Microbiology, today presented “QST 713: A Microbe with Two Tales” at the 60th annual meeting of the Society for Industry Microbiology in San Francisco. Dr. Guilhabert-Goya focused her presentation on the strengths of the patented active ingredient Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 contained in AgraQuest’s SERENADE family of biofungicides.
These strengths, including activation of plants’ natural defenses, growth promotion and resistance to abiotic stress, make AgraQuest’s proprietary Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 a valuable tool for both foliar and soil disease control in production agriculture. Field studies in potatoes, tomatoes and cucurbits demonstrate average yield increases of 12 to 15% when treated with SERENADE SOIL™.
“Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 is a unique microbe, effective as a fungicide in both foliar applications and in the soil,” said Dr. Guilhabert-Goya. ”While foliar activity is driven by the patented metabolites known as lipopeptides, in the soil QST 713 adds plant growth promoting and stress modulation activity.” Dr. Guilhabert-Goya’s presentation kicks off a series of scientific and agrochemical industry presentations by AgraQuest technical personnel introducing this valuable new technology.
Next week, Dr. Paul Walgenbach, Field Development Manager for AgraQuest, will present at the American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting in Charlotte, N.C., highlighting the biopesticide technology underlying SERENADE SOIL fungicide. Dr. Walgenbach will detail multiple modes of action of SERENADE SOIL fungicide, highlighting root colonizations which results in a dense armor protecting the developing root from soil diseases. Dr. Walgenbach will also discuss the product’s ability to regulate plant physiology, stimulating growth and thus allowing plants to grow normally under stressed conditions.
Additionally, Dr. Denise Manker, Vice President of Global Product Development for AgraQuest, will present SERENADE SOIL fungicide at the sixth Australasian Soilbourne Diseases Symposium in Queensland, Australia. ”This technology is very exciting,” said Dr. Manker. ”SERENADE SOIL gives growers a new tool for controlling soil diseases and optimizing yield, and fits squarely within AgraQuest’s mission to advance today’s agricultural revolution for cleaner, safer food through effective biopesticides and innovative technologies for sustainable, highly productive farming and a better environment.”
SERENADE SOIL is a registered for use in the U.S. with registrations in additional countries pending. SERENADE SOIL is the first product in a planned portfolio of soil fungicides from AgraQuest.
Topics
Species
