Oct 8, 2015

Marrone Bio Innovations receives EPA approval for Majestene bionematicide

Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI), a provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products for the agriculture, turf and ornamental and water treatment markets, has received EPA approval for its latest product, Majestene, a broad spectrum, high performance natural bionematicide for controlling nematodes (roundworms) on a wide range of agricultural crops.

According to an MBI news release, Majestene was developed from MBI’s in-house discovery screening process and provides growers with a new mode of action for safely controlling nematodes by reducing or stopping eggs from hatching, preventing root galling and reducing nematode population density. Nematodes cause approximately $80 billion annually in damages to crops globally.

“We are pleased with Majestine’s approval by the EPA, as this new bionematicide meets a large market need due to heavy restrictions on toxic chemicals used to control nematodes and the need for easier-to-use biologicals that reduce multiple species of nematode populations,” said Pam Marrone, MBI’s CEO.

“Today’s growers are faced with ever-increasing regulatory restrictions on existing conventional products to reduce exposure to people nearby, to protect non-target beneficial insects, to reduce air and water pollution, to ensure worker safety and to be export-ready,” Marrone said.

“Growers who traditionally employ conventional nematicides for crop protection can now use Majestine, which has multiple modes of action, a low risk to beneficial insects, and an exemption from residue tolerances. said Brian Ahrens, MBI’s vice president of sales. “Majestne brings growers expanded options for an environmentally responsible and effective solution for managing pests in conventional and organic crops.”

Majestine is labeled for a wide array of crops against multiple nematodes such as root knot, cyst, sting and lance and is approved for use in conventional and organic systems. It is available in a liquid formulation and can be applied by ground, with no limit on the number of applications allowed per season.

Majestine has the minimum four-hour re-entry interval for farm workers. The product is non-toxic to fish, birds and most beneficial insects, and also has the advantages of a zero-day pre-harvest interval (PHI) and an exemption from MRL (maximum residue level) tolerances – a measure of pesticide residue limits that must be met for most food crop exports.

MBI is currently applying for state registrations for Majestene.