AgraQuest introduces biofungicide SERENADE Garden in Canada

Date:08-12-2010

AgraQuest, Inc. announced the launch of SERENADE Garden, the first home and garden biofungicide based on its patented active ingredient Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713, into the Canadian market. SERENADE Garden will be distributed through Greenstar Plant Products, Inc.

SERENADE Garden will be available in 0.946 liter (32 ounce) concentrate and ready-to-use formulations. SERENADE Garden is an organic biofungicide, and is non-toxic to beneficial insects, including honey bees. It can be used on a wide variety of plants including flowers, fruits and vegetables. SERENADE Garden is based on the SERENADE Garden Disease Control product line, which are OMRI listed and NOP approved products that were first introduced to the United States home market in 2004.

"SERENADE Garden is a new product with unique mode of action for Canadian home gardeners," said Mike Miille, President and COO for AgraQuest. "With chemical restrictions in Canada, it is great to have another tool for gardeners for fungal and bacterial disease suppression."

Greenstar Plant Products, Inc. will distribute the SERENADE Garden line in Canada. Greenstar Plant Products is a Canada-based manufacturer and distributor of garden-related products to retail indoor and outdoor garden centers, organic farms, greenhouses, nurseries, municipalities, vineyards and landscapers.

"SERENADE Garden is an excellent, organic biofungicide that helps home gardeners protect their plants against diseases," said Brent Jackson, President for Greenstar Plant Products. "Were excited about the opportunity to sell this product in Canada."

Products based on AgraQuests patented B. subtilis strain QST 713 have been protecting crops from foliar diseases for nearly a decade, since the first SERENADE product was introduced in the U.S. in 2000. Registrations have been obtained in more than 26 countries, including several countries in the European Union, Latin America, Japan and Canada.

Investment in products like SERENADE Garden are part of the $130 million spent by AgraQuest on research and development designed to revolutionize the way we produce food globally.