Syngenta expands Quillibrium access for sustainable crop disease control
Innovation in agriculture often begins with lessons learned from nature. Inspired by traditional knowledge from the Mapuche culture of Chile, a natural tree known as Quillaja saponaria is now helping farmers manage crop diseases more sustainably.
The tree’s bark contains high levels of saponins, which have long been used for cleansing and medicinal purposes. Today, this natural resource forms the foundation of a modern biofungicide called Quillibrium.
Syngenta and Botanical Solution Inc. (BSI) have expanded their exclusive partnership to bring Quillibrium to more growers across the Americas. The product will now be distributed in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, expanding access to a botanical-based disease control option.
The biofungicide is developed using BSI’s plant tissue culture platform, which allows consistent production without harvesting protected trees, supporting biodiversity and long-term sustainability.
Since 2021, the companies have worked together in Chile and Peru, where growers used the product to protect crops such as grapes, tomatoes, berries, and cherries. Farmers reported strong results against common diseases including Botrytis, Sour Rot, Powdery Mildew, and Alternaria alternata. These outcomes helped improve yields and crop quality while supporting environmentally responsible farming practices.
"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."
Under the expanded agreement, Syngenta will distribute Quillibrium for crop protection, turf and ornamental uses, and post-harvest applications. The move strengthens the company’s biologicals portfolio and gives farmers more tools to build integrated pest management programs that combine biological and conventional solutions.
Industry leaders say this collaboration highlights the growing importance of biological products in agriculture. The global biologicals market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, reflecting increasing demand for sustainable and resilient farming tools. By combining innovation with natural ingredients, Quillibrium represents a step toward balancing productivity with environmental care.
"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.
As growers continue to face disease pressures and changing market demands, nature-inspired technologies like this offer practical solutions that support both farm profitability and long-term agricultural sustainability.
Photo Credit: istock-fotokostic