DAVIS, Calif., Dec. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farmers in Uruguay will have a new solution to grow a more sustainable crop thanks to a new arrangement that will allow PGG Wrightson Seeds (PGGWS), New Zealand’s largest seed company, to distribute Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: MBII) (MBI) line of Pro Farm Technology products. The recently signed agreement provides PGGWS with exclusive crop dependent selling rights to MBI’s Pro Farm UBP seed treatment line for the next five years (2020-2025) in Uruguay.

“South American markets are of key importance to our international expansion plans and this new partnership with PGGWS supports that global growth strategy,” states Kevin Hammill, Chief Commercial Officer of Marrone Bio Innovations. “The introduction of our UBP Seed Treatment to the Uruguayan market provides an innovative product that helps farmers establish healthier plants and increase crop yields.”

The UBP Seed Treatment is based on a proprietary process turning plant-based lignin into a supramolecular, nutrient complex that supports plant growth and improves plant health, resulting in improved yields and crop quality. The seed treatment has proven applications on soybeans, wheat, oats, sorghum, and forage crops, all of which are widely grown in Uruguay.

Matti Tiainen, Managing Director of the Pro Farm added, “PGGWS, owned by DLF Seeds, is an industry leader in providing key crop inputs for Uruguay’s forage and row crops. They also have a presence throughout South America, most notably including Argentina and Brazil. We hope this is the beginning of a growing partnership in the region.”

PGGWS will be using UPB in combination with a proprietary seed treatment for supporting crop growth and controlling pests on lucerne (alfalfa), white clover and bird’s-foot trefoil pelleting, forage grasses such as ryegrass and fescue grass, and row crops such as soybean, sorghum and wheat.

About Marrone Bio Innovations
Marrone Bio Innovations Inc. (NASDAQ: MBII) is a growth-oriented company leading the movement to a more sustainable world through the discovery, development and sale of innovative biological products for crop protection and plant health that help customers operate more sustainably while increasing their return on investment. MBI has screened over 18,000 microorganisms, leveraging its in-depth knowledge of plant and soil microbiomes enhanced by advanced molecular technologies and natural product chemistry to rapidly develop seven product lines. Supported by a robust portfolio of over 500 issued and pending patents, MBI’s currently available commercial products are Regalia^®, Stargus^®, Grandevo^®, Venerate^®, Majestene^®, Haven^®, Pacesetter^®, Zelto^® Jet-Oxide^® and Jet-Ag^®, with a next-generation insecticide-nematicide, a breakthrough bioherbicide and a biofumigant in the Company’s product pipeline. MBI’s Pro Farm Finland-based subsidiary employs a proprietary technology derived from wood waste to stimulate plant growth and improve plant health, resulting in improved yields and crop quality. Products include UBP™ 110, Foramin^®, UBP™ Seed Treatment, Foramin^® ST.