MAJOR CHANGES are afoot in the world of agri-chemicals, where Bayer Crop Science has just splashed out nearly half a billion dollars to acquire 'friendly bacteria' innovaters AgraQuest.

California's AgraQuest is, in agri-science terms, way off in the left-field, leading research on alternative crop treatments based not on conventional chemicals but on biological pest management solutions based on natural microorganisms.

It is also quite firmly outwith the genetic modification industry, preferring to harness naturally occuring bugs and fungus as living treatments to provide all-natural protection and encouragement to crop plants.

Bayer acknowledged that the takeover was its fast-track ticket into this new field of crop science, of immediate importantance to its fruits and vegetables business, but also opening up new opportunities in other crops.

"The growing fruits and vegetables market, which today accounts for more than 25% of our sales, is of strategic importance for us. We plan to achieve €3 billion sales in this segment by 2020 and with the acquisition of AgraQuest we are underlining our growth ambitions," said Bayer CEO Sandra Peterson.

"We are the first in our industry to offer farmers a truly comprehensive range of integrated crop solutions based on seeds, traits and combined chemical crop protection and biological control," she added.

AgraQuest CEO Marcus Meadows-Smith commented: "AgraQuest is ideally positioned as a technology leader in the global biological market and by joining forces with Bayer CropScience we will be able to develop revolutionary, tailor-made biological solutions.

"Every AgraQuest employee is passionate about developing innovative solutions for better food, and now the products developed through their hard work will be made available to farmers in every corner of the world."