Marrone Bio Innovations’ BioUnite™ program offers new solutions to California growers

Marrone Bio Innovations Inc. (the “Company” or “MBI”) (NASDAQ: MBII), a leading developer of bio-based products for pest management and plant health, announces that California almond and grape growers are gaining an edge as they address mid-season pest control issues through the implementation of the company’s novel BioUnite program.

 

Marrone Bio launched BioUnite to provide growers with integrated pest management programs that harness the power of biology with the performance of chemistry resulting in a more efficient food production system that is affordable, sustainable, safe, and easy to use. BioUnite provides specific biological prescriptions that growers integrate into their operations, taking the guesswork out of using biologically derived materials with their standard crop protection program.

 

Marrone Bio supports the BioUnite program with research that spans from initial discoveries through hands-on field trials. Almond growers are currently treating for navel orangeworm larvae, which bore into and consume the nut fruit, damaging quality, and yield, and reducing the value farmers receive for their crop. In extensive 2018 field trials, Marrone Bio Innovations’ Venerate^® biological insecticide, when tank mixed with a standard insecticide, reduced nut damage by an additional 2% as compared with the standard insecticide program. This Venerate BioUnite program results in a 6-to-1 return on investment to the grower. In grapes, the BioUnite concept integrates Haven^® plant stress manager into the grower vine management program. Field trials demonstrated Haven resulted in an 18% yield increase, delivering a 6-to-1 return on investment. Also in grapes, when Regalia^® biofungicide was added to the growers’ disease management program, Regalia provided a 57% improvement in disease control as compared to the standard treatment.

 

“Growers around the world are faced with the challenge to meet diverse consumer demands for greater choice, affordability, and availability,” said Kevin Hammill, Chief Commercial Officer for Marrone Bio Innovations. “Growers need innovative, cost-effective tools to operate in a dynamic, changing marketplace. We believe that BioUnite offers growers an exciting new resource to meet consumer demands,” concluded Hammill.