A young Saskatoon company has received a Canadian registration for Mustgrow Crop Bio-fumigant, a new bio-fungicide made from Canadian mustard seed.
While the pesticidal properties of mustard have been known for decades, its use as a commercial pesticide has been limited due to the low and variable concentration of active ingredient in mustard seeds and plants. MPT developed and patented a process whereby it is able to balance and concentrate the active ingredient AITC and an enzyme myrosinase to produce quite an effective bio-pesticide, to suppress nematodes and diseases on strawberries and cane berries.
The registration of Mustgrow is particularly timely in light of the elimination of other common fumigants and nematicides. Not only will Mustgrow fill a gap left by the withdrawal of older fumigants, it fills that gap with a natural, Canadian made product with much better safety characteristics. Early indications also suggest that the natural fertilizers in Mustgrow may also improve crop health, perhaps contributing to higher yields.
MPT is in the process of launching its Mustgrow products in the USA and hopes to be able to expand the labels to include a wide variety of crops both in Canada and the USA.
MPT is a real Canadian success story. A Saskatchewan company using prairie mustard seed to manufacture a Canadian invention for use around the world. Well done!