Marrone Bio and plant-nutrient producer Valagro announce R&D partnership

Marrone Bio Innovations Inc (NASDAQ:MBII) announced Thursday it has entered into a strategic partnership with Valagro S.p.A of Italy, a leader in the production and commercialization of biostimulants and specialty nutrients.

The California-based developer of bio-based products for pest management and plant health said that under the research and development collaboration agreement both companies will leverage a subset of Marrone Bio’s collection of 18,000 microorganisms in conjunction with Valagro’s products that enhance crop yield and quality. 

READ: California farmers embrace Marrone Bio Innovations’ BioUnite pest control program

Products resulting from this partnership have the potential to enhance a grower’s productivity and return on investment with plants that develop better root systems, grow with more vigor and thrive under harsher growing conditions, Marron Bio said in a statement.

Additionally, growers of specialty crops would have the potential to produce higher quality fruit that matures more quickly.

“As a leader in the plant biostimulants development space, Valagro is excited to combine our unique know-how acquired in the field of plant biostimulants and plant nutrition with Marrone Bio’s strength in microorganisms and biopesticides, addressing a $155 billion global plant nutrition market,” said Valagro CEO Giuseppe Natale.

Marrone CEO Dr Pam Marrone said the Valagro partnership will “further monetize our microorganism collection, applying our biologicals expertise into adjacent markets. The products from this partnership have the potential to provide growers with innovative new products addressing unmet needs.”

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