Bayer CropScience acquires biofungicide from AgroGreen

Bayer CropScience is adding the biofungicide Shemer to its portfolio of classic crop protection products. The company has now completed the acquisition of certain assets and technologies relating to biological development products of AgroGreen in Ashdod, Israel. This move follows the acquisition by Bayer CropScience in March last year of AgroGreen products which will be marketed under the brand names BioNem and Votivo (containing the active ingredient Bacillus firmus).

Shemer is based on the micro-organism Metschnikowia fructicola, a kind of yeast. It is an antagonist which protects fruit and vegetables against diseases caused by fungal pathogens. Bayer CropScience intends to pursue integrated solutions based on Shemer to develop new and innovative components for sustainable production. This will help farmers to meet the growing need for affordable, high-quality food products. AgroGreen, a business unit of the Minrav Group, is among the leading suppliers of bionematicides and biofungicides.

Applied pre- and post-harvest, Shemer helps to protect many different crops. It prevents infection and the development of many fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus, Botrytis, Rhizopus and Sclerotinia. They can cause rot and thus lead to substantially reduced yields and quality. Shemer can be applied flexibly in mixtures with fertilizers and crop protection products. Further advantages are the fact that the product remains effective for a long time under a wide variety of climatic conditions, leaves no residues in crops, and is safe for beneficial insects.

Shemer is currently approved in Israel for use in grapes, citrus fruit, pome and stone fruit, and strawberries. The first registrations in Europe are expected in 2013. Shemer was discovered by Dr. Samir Droby, who found a way to isolate a unique strain of yeast. Dr. Droby is a scientist at the Volcani Center, part of the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) of the Ministry of Agriculture in Israel.