Mar 22, 2023

California approves use of AgBiome’s Theia fungicide

California regulators recently approved AgBiome Inc.’s Theia fungicide use in the state. This fungicide can be used throughout the U.S. to treat numerous plant diseases in fruit, vegetable and tree nut crops.

Theia fungicide is the second proprietary solution from AgBiome approved in the state that provides broad-spectrum protection against a variety of soilborne and foliar diseases in high-value fruits, vegetables and tree nuts.

“California growers continue to look for effective and sustainable solutions that protect their crops from detrimental diseases,” Adam Burnhams, chief commercial officer for AgBiome, said in a news release. “Theia fungicide’s approval in California gives growers a new tool that offers excellent control of a variety of diseases such as powdery mildew and fusarium.”

Theia fungicide protects crops through multiple modes of action by blocking fungal and bacterial pathogens and activating crops’ natural defenses. The biofungicide contains the active ingredient Bacillus subtilis strain AFS032321. Theia fungicide received EPA approval in June of 2022 and is registered in 49 states.

It is approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute.

Theia fungicide is a product of AgBiome’s in-house GENESIS discovery platform, with the original microbe discovery, sequencing, and product development all led by AgBiome’s team. Theia fungicide follows Howler fungicide, AgBiome’s first biofungicide registered for use across the U.S.

“Our goal has always been to create effective crop protection products,” Brooke Bissinger, Theia fungicide product manager for AgBiome, said in the release. “We are excited to have Theia fungicide available to support growers in California as they deliver high-quality fruits and vegetables across the world.”

For more information on Theia fungicide, visit www.agbiome.com/theia/.