Verdera’s R&D

The Research and Development carried out at Verdera can be divided into two areas:

Biological Development (applications, e.g. rates and treating methods on different crops under various cultivation and irrigation systems), and

Process Development (fermentation, downstream processing, especially drying of living micro-organisms, process optimization, product formulation, and scale-up of production processes).

In order to utilize a biological plant protection product idea and commercialize it into a final product, biological and process development have to go hand in hand. It is just as important to duly consider the registration and other requirements set by the biological plant protection regulations.

Biological Development

Verdera offers a high level of competence and know-how in the development and commercialization of embryo biocontrol products.

Services to growers offer comprehensive solutions to problems in the area of plant protection and microbiology. Analysis services include a wide range of testing, e.g. diagnosis of plant pathogens and other pests, and isolation of antagonists from the rhizosphere. Customers are also provided with recommendations for problem-solving procedures. Advice is given to growers especially on compiling cleaning programs and on developing quality and early warning systems. Consequently, in addition to developing and marketing individual products, Verdera provides growers with the know-how they need to achieve their business goals.

Process Development

Production processes for all Verdera's products have been developed in-house.

Mycostop^®, GlioMix^®, Prestop^® Mix, and Prestop^® WP are based on traditional submerged liquid fermentation. Cells and spores are separated from the cultivation broth, carriers and protective agents are added, and the mass is then dried and milled to obtain a powdery product.

Rotstop^® is produced using a solid-state fermentation method developed and patented by Verdera. A nutrient solution is impregnated with a fine silica powder to obtain a solid growth medium. After the microbe has grown and sporulated throughout, the whole medium is either air-dried and milled or mixed into a liquid suspension.