Syngenta Acquires Circle One For Bio-Control Technology
11 June 2009 Syngenta has announced its acquisition of Georgia-based Circle One Global, Inc., manufacturer of Afla-Guard, the first registered microbial antifungal crop protection product for use on corn and peanuts that has been effective in reducing the levels of aflatoxin — a crop toxin that can develop particularly during heat and drought stress, reports PR Newswire. Aflatoxin contamination costs US corn and peanut farmers more than US $200 million annually.
The bio-control technology was originally developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service and licensed exclusively to Circle One Global in 2002. While the product is currently only registered for use on corn and peanuts in the US, Syngenta plans to apply for extension of the registration line to other crops and expand production, as well as seek registration of Afla-Guard in other countries.
Afla-Guard contains a naturally-occurring, non-toxic fungus that reduces the development of the fungi that produce aflatoxin in grains, nuts, and oil seeds through competition. It uses an inert agricultural granule carrier to deploy the spores of the non-toxic fungus, which grow and colonize the field, allowing for efficient growth of the crop.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
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