THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
- MustGrow has compiled a science-based suite of natural biological pesticides and fertilizers for Canadian licensed cannabis producers.
- MustGrow recently in-licensed a bio-fungicide product that had previously been used in the industry to target powdery mildew.
- MustGrow’s bio-pesticide primarily targets soil borne diseases such as Fusarium (root rot) and Botrytis (gray mold).
- MustGrow has exclusive distribution of bio-fertility product TP-1000, which improves nutrient utilization in support of earlier growth and optimal flowering.
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, Oct. 03, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MustGrow Biologics Corp. (MGRO-CSE) (“MustGrow” or the “Company”), an agricultural biotech company developing and commercializing a portfolio of natural, science-based bio-pesticides and bio-fertility products for the cannabis industry, is pleased to outline its growing portfolio of natural biologic products.
Soil-borne (Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Botrytis) and air-borne (powdery mildew) diseases contaminate cannabis cultivation facilities. Requirements published by Health Canada necessitate mandatory testing for pesticides in cannabis (effective January 2, 2019). Through MustGrow’s suite of natural bio-pesticides and bio-fertility products, Canadian cannabis licence-holders may have access to products that aid in production of compliant, pest-free cannabis.
MustGrow’s Product Suite of Biologics:
| Product | Target | Application | Disease Description | Source | Product Notes |
CannaProtector® - Mustard-derived
- 100% owned
- Patented IP
- Q2-2020* potential first sale
| Soil-borne diseases such as Fusarium & Rhizoctonia (root rot) and Botrytis (gray mold) | Pre-plant pre-pot soil treatment | Soil-borne; brought into facilities via contaminated soil; known to destroy entire cannabis rooms and can lay dormant in both soil and waterlines for years before becoming active and detrimental | MustGrow’s signature mustard-derived formula | Granular format; 100% control vs. harmful chemistries; 110 independent trials completed showing efficacy. |
CannaVate® - Active ingredient: Streptomyces lydicus
- Exclusive
- Q4-2020* potential first sale (could be earlier with an emergency use label)
| Powdery mildew | Foliar spray for preventative treatment | Air-borne spores are continuously produced and spread, which further infect other plant leaves in warm and humid conditions; appears as white or grey dusty patches on leaf surfaces | Undisclosed multinational corporation | Streptomyces lydicus is the active ingredient in a previously available product which was once used by Canadian cannabis licensed cultivators for suppression of powdery mildew. |
TP-1000
- Exclusive
- Approved for sale
| Bio-fertility | Plant based treatment | Not applicable | Triangle Plant Sciences, a division of Verdesian Life Sciences | Unique formulation facilitates rapid plant nutrient uptake:
+4.6% yield;
+10.2% THC;
+22.0% terpenes. |
* Estimated – subject to regulatory review and label approval.
CannaProtector®
MustGrow is well-positioned to eventually market CannaProtector®, with a compliant cannabis label, through tailoring of its natural mustard-derived granular bio-pesticide that has already been approved for use in fruits & vegetables as a soil treatment. CannaProtector® has demonstrated control of many soil-borne diseases and pests that affect cannabis production, including the following: Botrytis (gray mold, bud rot), Pythium root rot, Rhizoctonia fungus, Fusarium, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot and Sclerotinia.
CannaProtector® is derived from mustard seed, utilizing the plant’s natural defense mechanism as a pre-plant soil bio-pesticide. Organic compounds found in mustard seed, combined with water, form allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), which is the active ingredient. MustGrow has concentrated the active ingredient in both granular and liquid form to maximize safety and efficacy. MustGrow’s granular product, the formula underlying CannaProtector®, is EPA-approved across all key U.S. states as a bio-fertilizer and bio-pesticide (currently limited to a fertilizer in California) and is designated by Health Canada’s PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) as a fruit, vegetable, turf and ornamental bio-pesticide and bio-fertilizer.
CannaVate®
MustGrow has signed a Supply and Private Label Agreement for the exclusive Canadian distribution of a Streptomyces lydicus biological product in Canada. Streptomyces lydicus (a biological fungicide/bactericide) is the active ingredient in a previously available product which was once used by Canadian cannabis licensed cultivators for treatment of powdery mildew. Although not currently approved for use on cannabis, the product will be re-registered for such under the MustGrow private label trademark CannaVate®. Active microbes within Streptomyces lydicus have multiple modes of action and application in various forms of production systems, aiding in crop protection from primarily powdery mildew.
Powdery mildew is a widespread fungal disease affecting both vegetative and woody plants. Following the initial infection, spores are continuously produced and spread, which further infects other plant leaves in warm and humid conditions. Powdery mildew appears as white or grey dusty patches on leaf surfaces, making plants appear unsightly. Cannabis plants infected with powdery mildew do NOT meet the stringent Health Canada requirements for cannabis sale and consumption.
A number of “chemical” fungicides are available for powdery mildew control outside of cannabis, including those containing sulphur, myclobutanil, chlorothalonil, tryfloxystrobin or thiophanate-methyl, but Health Canada deems these “chemical” products unsafe for cannabis cultivation, and they are strictly prohibited.
TP-1000
The first third-party product that MustGrow has brought in under this strategy is Triangle Plant Science’s TP-1000. MustGrow has exclusive distribution of the bio-fertility product TP-1000 in Canada and key registered cannabis markets globally. TP-1000 provides improved nutrient utilization in support of earlier growth and optimal flowering for plants, including cannabis. Third-party indoor trials have demonstrated excellent performance in hydroponic cannabis applications, with significant increases in yield (+4.6%), terpenes (+22.0%) and THC (+10.2%) levels.
About MustGrow
MustGrow is a publicly traded (MGRO: CSE) agricultural biotech company focused on providing natural science-based biological solutions for cannabis and fruit & vegetable cultivation. In cannabis, the Company is currently developing reliable, safe and biological solutions that adhere to Health Canada’s strict regulations. The Company currently has three products suited for the cannabis market: a bio-pesticide called CannaProtector® to treat soil borne pests and diseases; a bio-fungicide called CannaVate® that can be used a foliar application for powdery mildew; and a bio-fertility product called TP-1000 to increase yield, THC and terpene levels. CannaVate® and TP-1000 are in-licenced products that MustGrow has exclusivity. CannaProtector® is based on MustGrow’s patented natural biologic technology made from mustard seed that acts as a pesticide, fungicide, nematicide and fertilizer.
MustGrow has designed a United States EPA-approved organic solution that uses the mustard seed’s natural defence mechanism to protect plants from pests and diseases. Approximately $10 million has previously been spent and 110 independent tests completed, validating MustGrow’s safe and effective granular product. This product, the formula underlying CannaProtector®, is EPA-approved across all key U.S. states as a fertilizer and pesticide (currently limited to fertilizer in California) and is designated by Health Canada’s PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) as a fruit & vegetable bio-pesticide and fertilizer.
MustGrow is positioning CannaProtector® an effective pre-plant soil treatment, reducing the chance for any added soil introduced to a greenhouse to bring in pests or diseases. The Company expects its bio-pesticide will help licensed cannabis producers control the same conditions addressed in fruit and vegetable crops.
The Company has 25.0 million basic common shares issued and outstanding and 36.9 million on a fully diluted basis. For further details please visit www.mustgrow.ca.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Corey Giasson"
Director & CEO
Phone: +1-306-668-2652
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this website constitute “forward-looking statements” which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect the results, performance or achievements of MustGrow.
Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved”.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of MustGrow to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, MustGrow.
These risks are described in more detail in MustGrow’s Prospectus and other continuous disclosure documents filed by MustGrow with the applicable securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. Readers are referred to such documents for more detailed information about MustGrow, which is subject to the qualifications, assumptions and notes set forth therein.
Important
Always read and follow label use directions. © 2019 MustGrow Biologics Corp. All rights reserved.
