MustGrow Biologics (CSE: MGRO) announced this morning the commencement of a tobacco crop protection research program. The program is being funded by the Canadian Tobacco Research Foundation, with the goal of targeting tobacco cyst nematodes and root-lesion nematodes.
A collaborative research program is currently underway between the foundation and MustGrow as a means of building on the firms previous achievements that include third party studies using MustGrow’s patented mustard-derived bio-pesticide that demonstrated 100% control of soil-borne diseases and pathogens that include nematodes. Corporate collaboration discussions with tobacco industry leaders are also underway.
The study will see MustGrow’s patented liquid format utilized for testing of effectiveness against the disease, whereas previous testing has largely focused on the granular product format. The use of liquid format enables the bio-pesticide to be applied via spraying, which is often a more favourable alternative for application. The product will be evaluated in both pre-planting and post-planting applications, targeting tobacco cyst nematodes after hatching.
Nematodes are parasitic worms that infect the root system of a plant, reducing water and nutrient movement within the plant and stunting growth, resulting in lower yields. Yield destruction from the parasite has been reported in eleven tobacco-producing countries, which includes both Canada and the US. Global tobacco crop loss from the parasite is estimated as being US$4.2 billion, or 15%. Nematodes continue to do this damage to tobacco plants despite the use of synthetic chemical pesticides, which continue to be deregistered or banned due to the harmful effects of such pesticides.
A timeline for the completion of the collaborative research program has not been provided, however the study is currently underway.
MustGrow Biologics last traded at $0.32 on the CSE.
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