Marrone Bio Innovations’ Regalia® Maxx biofungicide approved in Chile

Chile produces a wide range of fruits, nuts and vegetables for export, and therefore needs solutions to manage chemical residues at time of harvest. Biopesticides like REGALIA MAXX can be applied right up to harvest, providing growers and exporters end of season protection, flexibility, and peace of mind. Chilean growers have been early adopters of biopesticides, recognizing the need to minimize residues, while maintaining or enhancing yields and quality.
 

REGALIA MAXX, based on an extract of Giant Knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis), prevents and fights crop diseases by triggering treated plants to produce disease-fighting biochemicals (Induced Systemic Resistance), while simultaneously enhancing plant health, crop yield and crop quality. REGALIA MAXX is safe to workers, crops, beneficials and pollinators and can be sprayed right up to harvest to manage residues for export. REGALIA also has the minimum restricted-entry interval for workers to enter the field after spraying, increasing operational flexibility.
 

The REGALIA MAXX label was developed by FMC in Chile for three important exported crops ) Table and wine grapes: powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) and a complex of plant pathogens that cause and contribute to fruit rot (Botrytis cinérea, Cladosporium herbarium, Penicillium expansum, Rhizopus stolonifer) Blueberries: blossom blight (Botrytis cinérea), and Walnuts: walnut blight (Xanthomonas arborícola pv. juglandis).
 

There are over 183,000 hectares (close to 475,000 acres) of grapes in Chile, approximately two-thirds are wine grapes. Chile is the 8th largest wine producer and the 5th largest wine exporter in the world. 70% of Chile’s wine is exported. Chile is the world’s number one exporter of table grapes, with 27% of the global market. In 2015, table grape exports were 740,000,000 metric tons worth approximately $1 billion.
 

Blueberry production in Chile has experienced high growth from 1,360 hectares in 2005 to more than 14,500 hectares (36,000 acres) in 2014, with exports topping $500 million in value. Chile’s blueberry acreage continued to expand in 2015, with 15,900 hectares (almost 40,000 acres) planted. Leading blueberry production region Maule will export a projected 80 million pounds in 2015-16, a 35% increase over 2014-15, according to the Chilean Blueberry Committee. Chile exports between 60% and 70% of its production primarily to the United States and Europe.
 

Walnuts is an emerging crop for Chile with nearly 30,000 hectares (almost 75,000 acres) of walnuts. Chile expects to double production in the next five years.
 

These markets represent an excellent growth opportunity for Regalia Maxx, according to FMC. Under an agreement with MBI, FMC now distributes REGALIA MAXX in Chile, Brazil, Peru, Mexico and some other Latin American countries.
 

REGALIA MAXX is an excellent resistance management tool,” said Juan Pable Luco, FMC Agricultural Solutions Country Manager for Chile and Peru. “By offering a different mode of action, REGALIA MAXX expands growers’ options and will help producting better quality crops. We are pleased to add an effective Biofungicide for integrated disease and residue management programs in Chile.”
 

REGALIA MAXX is now registered in 10 countries in the LATAM region.