Bayer to commercialise biopesticides from mustard seed

Organic biopesticide company MustGrow has entered into an exclusive agreement contract with Bayer. Bayer will help evaluate Must Grow’s commercial potential in key agricultural regions and help bring their products to market.

The agreement grants Bayer the right to use MustGrow’s intellectual property to test their products. It also offers Bayer the option to acquire exclusive rights to MustGrow technologies for pre-plant soil fumigation, bioherbicide applications, and postharvest potato preservation in Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa. In return, Bayer will fund MustGrow’s laboratory work, field development, regulatory work, and market development for commercialisation.

MustGrow is a publically-traded agriculture biotech company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada. Their technology utilises the chemical properties of mustard seed which harbour natural defence mechanisms against diseases and bests.

Field trials in North and South America have shown that their products are effective against pests in multiple crops.

Bayer is a German life science company specialising in health care and agriculture. It is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. It was founded in 1863.

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“Working with a leading global agricultural company like Bayer, who is focused on sustainable agriculture, is a tremendous opportunity for our organization to see our technologies develop globally.” Said Corey Giasson, CEO of MustGrow.

MustGrow’s patented TerraMG is a pre-plant soil biofumigant for pests is derived from food-grade mustard. The compounds within the TerraMG liquid react to produce AITC (allyl isothiocyanate) which disrupts cell function in target pests. MustGrow’s bioherbicide product deploys a molecule called ionic thiocyanate (SCN-) with weed-killing properties. When absorbed by weeds, the molecules starve the plant of iron – an essential nutrient.

Biopesticides are pesticides made from animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. They control pests through non-toxic means unlike the synthetic chemicals used in conventional pesticides. Biopesticides generally decompose quickly and do not leave toxic residues in the surrounding environment. The global market for biopesticides is estimated to have grown three percent in 2021, with Asia leading the way.

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