DAVIS, Calif., Jan. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (NASDAQ:MBII) (MBI), a leading provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products for agriculture, turf and ornamental and water treatment markets, has launched and made available a high-performance biological pesticide, Zelto™. Information on Zelto can be found here: https://marronebioinnovations.com/ag-products/brand/zelto/.
Zelto is based on a non-living, novel bacterium that provides turf protection with a new mode of action for safely controlling insect pests that harm turf, such as chinch bugs, weevils and caterpillars. It was developed from MBI’s in-house discovery screening process. Zelto stops insects from developing after contact or feeding.
In addition to its insecticidal properties, as shown in field trials and golf course demonstrations, Zelto is highly effective against multiple species of nematodes, including ring, root knot, cyst, sting and lance. Zelto’s natural microbial compounds control nematodes by reducing or stopping reproduction and egg hatch, and also by reducing adult and juvenile nematode numbers. Additionally, Zelto has also been shown to negatively impact the ability of nematodes to colonize or penetrate plant roots.
Zelto is an easy-to-use liquid formulation and can be applied at planting and in-season through irrigation systems with no limit on the number of applications allowed per season. The formulation is flexible and easy handling for use on the teeing grounds, greens, roughs and fairways, as well as other turf and ornamental targets. Zelto is also non-toxic to mammals, fish, birds and beneficial insects.
“We are excited to bring Zelto to turf and ornamental customers to improve root health and wear-tolerance for turf,” said Lisa Malabad, MBI’s Insecticide and Nematicide Product Marketing Manager. “Non-toxic, with a minimal four-hour re-entry interval after application, Zelto Bionematicide/Bioinsecticide effectively eliminates down-time for playability on turf. Additionally, as a non-volatile formulation, Zelto provides improved worker, player and bystander safety, as well as reduced impact to the environment over alternative soil-borne pest control methods.”
Nematodes and soil dwelling insect pest issues are on the rise in turfgrasses. Their feeding damages the turfgrass plants and have a detrimental impact by compromising the playing surface of a golf course. Zelto brings a powerful tool to golf superintendents for highly effective and safer turf management.
According to ILLINI VENTURES INC, the 2016 turf and ornamentals market was approximately $875 million, of which about 77 percent is turf (golf and lawns). The nematicide market is growing the fastest because of the phase out and restrictions of older, hazardous products that create an opportunity for products like Zelto that more sustainably and effectively control nematode pests that cause serious turf damage. Insecticide use is approximately 20 percent of the overall turf management market.
About Marrone Bio Innovations
Smart. Natural. Solutions.
Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (NASDAQ:MBII) strives to lead the movement to a more sustainable world through the discovery, development and promotion of biological products for pest management and plant health. MBI’s effective and environmentally responsible pest management solutions help customers operate more sustainably while uniquely improving plant health and increasing crop yields. MBI’s currently available commercial products are Regalia®, Grandevo®, Venerate®, Majestene®, Haven® StargusTM/AmplitudeTM, ZeltoTM and Zequanox®. MBI also distributes Bio-tam 2.0® for Isagro USA and Jet-Ag® for Jet Harvest in most regions of the U.S.
Marrone Bio Innovations is dedicated to pioneering smart biopesticide solutions that support a better tomorrow for both farmers, turf managers and consumers around the globe. For more information, please visit www.marronebio.com.
Marrone Bio Innovations Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding strategy, future operations and plans, including assumptions underlying such statements, are forward-looking statements, and should not be relied upon as representing MBI’s views as of any subsequent date. Examples of such statements include statements regarding the potential of Zelto and other MBI products in the turf market, market projections, including the potential benefits of MBI’s products, and MBI’s plans for expanding additional label uses. Such forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some beyond the Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements, including consumer, regulatory and other factors affecting demand for the MBI’s products, any difficulty in marketing MBI’s products in its target markets, competition in the market for pest management products, lack of understanding of bio-based pest management products by customers and growers. Additional information that could lead to material changes in MBI’s performance is contained in its filings with the SEC. MBI is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any responsibility to, update or alter forward-looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of current information, future events or otherwise.
Marrone Bio Innovations Contacts:
Pam Marrone, CEO and Founder
Andre Trepanier, Director of Marketing
Lisa Malabad, Insecticide/Nematicide Product Manager
Telephone: +1 (530) 750-2800
Email: Info@marronebio.com
MBI Investor Relations:
Greg Falesnik
Managing Director
MZ Group – MZ North America
Main: 949-385-6449
MBII@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us