Marrone Bio Innovations' Regalia Biofungicide Recognized for Sustainability in Grape Production

DAVIS, Calif., May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Marrone Bio Innovations Inc. (MBI), a leading global provider of natural pest management products for the agricultural and water treatment markets, announced today that Low Input Viticulture and Enology, Inc. (LIVE) has added Regalia® to its list of approved sustainable products for controlling powdery mildew and Botrytis bunch rot in grapes. Regalia has also been included in the pesticide environmental assessment system (PEAS) list used by the Lodi Rules of Sustainable Winegrowing, sponsored by the Lodi Winegrape Commission.

"These organizations provide an invaluable resource to growers seeking sustainable solutions for managing their vineyards," said MBI Director of Product Management Russell Blair. "Regalia offers growers an effective option for combating yield-robbing diseases in a way that meets consumers' demands for sustainable pest management."

Regalia was added to LIVE's list of approved fungicides for controlling powdery mildew and Botrytis bunch rot after undergoing a rigorous review of performance data. LIVE is a non-profit organization that provides education and certification for vineyards and wineries using international standards of sustainable viticulture and enology. Vineyards and wineries receive LIVE certification based on a review of growing practices and on-site inspections that show compliance to sustainable growing standards. These sustainable growing practices are based on an independent third-party-verified checklist system consisting of required and prohibited elements.

Regalia is also included on the PEAS list used by the Lodi Rules of Sustainable Winegrowing, California's first certified sustainable wine-growing program by a third party, to promote practices that enhance biodiversity, soil and water health, and community and employee well-being. Vineyards certified under the Lodi Rules must pass an independent audit of their viticulture practices, including pesticide use. Currently, there are more than 20,000 acres of vineyards certified under the Lodi Rules in California, and these growers are now able to use Regalia on their vineyards.

About Regalia

Regalia can be used alone, in rotation or in tank mixed with most commercially available fungicides to control a broad spectrum of bacterial and fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, downy mildew, Botrytis, bacterial spot and bacterial canker. Regalia is also effective against soil-borne diseases, including Rhizoctonia, Fusarium and Pythium. In addition to its wide use on grapes, Regalia is also used to protect many other crops, including tomatoes, peppers, leafy greens, citrus, tree nuts and others. Regalia has a minimum reentry interval and requires no pre-harvest interval (PHI of zero days), enabling crops to be harvested soon after application. In addition, its exemption from the requirement of a food tolerance is particularly important for exported crops that are subject to maximum residue levels.

When treated with Regalia, the natural defense systems of crops are "switched on" to protect against attacking diseases. Research shows that plants treated with Regalia produce and accumulate elevated levels of specialized proteins and other compounds known to inhibit fungal and bacterial diseases. Field trial data also shows that Regalia's mode of action improves plant health and yield in row crops such as soybeans and corn.

About Marrone Bio Innovations
Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. is a leading global provider of natural pest management products for the agricultural and water treatment markets. Its effective and environmentally friendly natural agricultural products provide higher yields and quality while managing pesticide resistance and residues. Through its proprietary discovery and development platform and strategically in-licensed technologies, MBI has developed a pipeline of advanced and early-stage products for the significant agricultural and water treatment markets. MBI's award-winning products for the agricultural market include the biofungicide Regalia®, and Grandevo™, a broad-spectrum bioinsecticide for controlling insects and mites. The company also recently received EPA approval of a novel bioherbicide, and has submitted another insecticide to the EPA. MBI is addressing the water treatment market with Zequanox®, the industry's first naturally derived product to selectively control zebra and quagga mussels. MBI currently has more than three dozen patents pending in the U.S. and globally.

SOURCE Marrone Bio Innovations Inc.