AgroPages-Marrone Bio Innovations announces the availability of Amplitude Biofungicide for white mold control in the 2018 growing season-Agricultural news

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI) announced the launch and availability of a high-performance and cost-effective biological fungicide, Amplitude™, in the 2018 growing season. Using the same active ingredient in the recently EPA approved Stargus™, Amplitude expands the use of this exciting new product to large acre crops.

Amplitude is based on a new strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, discovered by MBI, that has shown strong performance against white molds and soil diseases such as Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia (pink rot and black scurf of potatoes), and Fusarium, as shown in field trials in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

When assessing the market place, MBI has identified that growers have often struggled to find great performing products for white mold in those important crops. They have few choices of products that perform well on the group of fungi that causes white molds on pulses, dry beans, bulb vegetables,soybeans, canola and sunflower. Amplitude™, which addresses this specific market need, is the direct result of MBI’s directed screening discovery program. This product is also complementary and additive to the broad spectrum of diseases covered by MBI’s first biofungicide, Regalia®, providing a solid one-two punch in controlling white molds and soil diseases. MBI and partners also are testing this Bacillus-based product for seed treatment applications.

“We are pleased to provide growers with this unique tool to control white molds and soil diseases on a broad range of large acre crops, as well as on pulse, tuber and root crops. The development of this product is particularly timely in light of the development of resistance to conventional fungicide products. Amplitude can be used alone, but can also be combined with a conventional fungicide for a great ROI,” said André Trépanier, MBI’s Director of Marketing. “White mold tends to be a devastating disease in these crops, often causing significant economic damage if left unchecked.”

Tests conducted at MBI’s research and development lab show that Amplitude™ works by colonizing a plant’s root hairs, stems and other surfaces to prevent establishment of fungal and bacterial pathogens, including Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Rhizoctonia, Verticillium, Phytophthora and Sclerotium. Test results also indicated that the bacterium produces natural compounds, some of which inhibit bacterial and fungal mycelial growth, as well as spore germination. In addition, the bacteria trigger systemic acquired resistance and induced systemic responses in the plant, creating a healthier and stronger plant to ward off diseases and promote plant health, growth and increased yield. MBI has been issued a patent on the novel strain used in Amplitude™.

Extensive field studies with growers have confirmed and demonstrated excellent efficacy against white mold on various pulse crops, soybean, sunflower and canola, as well as Cercospora leaf spot on sugar beets. Testing for soil applications on potatoes for control of Rhizoctonia (Black scurf) and Phytophthora eurythroseptica (pink rot) have also delivered excellent results. Successful field trials have been conducted in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe.

The biofungicide product has also been submitted to Canada and Mexico for approval and the dossier is being prepared for the European Union. In the United States, pulse crop and potato acres affected by white mold increase yearly. In pulse crops like lentils, the yield loss to white mold can easily reach 50%. Canada and Europe are expected to grow 9.3 million and 6.7 million hectares of Canola (oilseed rape) in 2017 respectively; white mold is the most serious disease facing these crops.