By Janet Kanters

Elemental Enzymes and UPL have launched Strakor in Brazil, a new peptide-based biocontrol product designed to help citrus growers manage citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB).

The companies say Strakor is the only registered product in Brazil specifically for the management of HLB, a disease that continues to threaten citrus production around the world. The product was developed using technology from Vismax, Elemental Enzymes’ patented biofungicide platform, and is designed to provide protection against both bacterial and fungal pathogens.

According to the companies, Strakor works by using signaling peptides that activate a plant’s natural immune response. These peptides trigger systemic defence pathways, helping plants respond to disease pressure and improve overall resilience.

“Strakor isn’t just a product – it’s what happens when precision peptide science meets a grower’s real-world challenge,” said Brian Thompson, CEO of Elemental Enzymes. “Together with UPL, we’re giving Brazilian citrus growers their first registered tool against HLB – plus broad-spectrum protection against bacterial and fungal pathogens – setting a new standard for what biological crop protection can be.”

The companies say the product is designed to fit easily into existing crop protection programs without requiring changes to current management practices. They add that the approach can support plant health and orchard performance over time while remaining compatible with standard application methods.

“Strakor represents an important advance in the way we think about agricultural management,” said Mariana Yama, product manager at UPL Brazil. “We are talking about a solution that combines science, innovation, and sustainability, contributing to a more balanced, productive agriculture that is prepared for today’s challenges in the field.”