By Jamie Martin
Agricultural innovation often grows from understanding nature, and a tree native to Chile is now helping farmers improve crop protection. The Quillaja saponaria tree, long valued by the Mapuche culture for its natural cleansing properties, has inspired the development of a modern botanical biofungicide called Quillibrium.
Syngenta and Botanical Solution Inc. (BSI) have announced an expanded agreement that will bring this product to additional markets across the Americas, beginning with Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The partnership builds years of collaboration and aims to give farmers more access to sustainable crop protection tools.
Quillibrium is produced using BSI’s proprietary plant tissue culture technology, which creates consistent and high-quality extracts without cutting down or harvesting protected trees. This method helps preserve biodiversity while ensuring a stable supply of raw materials for agriculture. The product is currently marketed as BotriStop in Chile and has already shown strong performance in commercial use.
"After years of development and successful commercialization in Chile and Peru, we're thrilled to bring Quillibrium to new key markets expanding Syngenta's integrated disease control portfolio," said Syngenta's Global Head Seedcare and Biologicals, Emilhano Lima. "By fostering collaboration with innovators like BSI, we are enabling farmers in the Americas to build effective pest management programs that combine biologicals and conventional solutions."
Since 2021, growers in Chile and Peru have used the biofungicide on crops such as grapes, tomatoes, cherries, and berries. It has helped control several important diseases, including Botrytis, Sour Rot, Powdery Mildew, and Alternaria alternata. Farmers reported better crop quality and stronger yields, demonstrating the value of combining natural solutions with modern farming practices.
Under the expanded agreement, Syngenta will distribute Quillibrium for crop protection, turf and ornamental management, and post-harvest applications. Company leaders say this supports integrated pest management approaches that combine biological products with conventional tools for effective disease control.
"Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategic approach that enables farmers to maximize yield and quality while managing pests effectively. Quillibrium is a natural way to safeguard fruits and vegetables from multiple pathogens, easing farmers' adoption of comprehensive crop protection strategies,” said Gaston Salinas, CEO of Botanical Solution Inc.
“We're excited to be Syngenta's partner of choice to make botanical-based products like Quillibrium available to more growers across the Americas," said Salinas.
The biologicals sector continues to grow rapidly, with market projections showing strong future demand. As agriculture looks for solutions that balance productivity, profitability, and environmental responsibility, botanical products like Quillibrium are becoming an important part of modern farming strategies. This expansion marks another step toward sustainable innovation that supports farmers across the Americas.
Photo Credit: istock-fotokostic
Categories: National