BASF to distribute bio-fungicide Serenade

Agraquest Inc., maker of the bio-fungicide Serenade, announced that it has reached a distribution deal with BASF.

Under the agreement, BASF, based in Germany, will be allowed to distribute Serenade throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, in countries that are not covered by existing AgraQuest partnerships.

The deal’s financial terms were not disclosed.

Serenade contains Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 and protects vegetables, fruit, nut and vine crops against diseases such as fire blight, botrytis, sour rot, rust, sclerotinia, powdery mildew, bacterial spot and white mold, according to AgraQuest, based in Davis.

BASF will distribute the liquid Serenade ASO and the powdered Serenade MAX.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with BASF to develop Serenade,” Marcus Meadows-Smith, chief executive officer of AgraQuest, said in a news release.

“BASF’s reputation and extensive global sales network will dramatically expand the awareness and use of Serenade, benefiting both growers and consumers,” he continued.

Markus Heldt, head of BASF’s global crop protection division, said in a news release, “Serenade is an ideal fit with our existing line of fungicide products and will play an important role in BASF’s spray programs."