Panama-based GreenLab Biotechnology is making a difference in agricultural production thanks to its innovative use of micropropagation to produce in vitro plants. According to commercial manager Stefanny Ortiz, the technique is making it possible to obtain plants with phytosanitary quality, free of fungi, viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, guaranteeing more homogeneous crops that will deliver a high productivity in the field. With a wide range that includes agricultural, ornamental and forestry species, GreenLab has the capacity to produce seven million vitroplants and it is exporting its products to various international markets, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Africa and the Canary Islands.
Advantages of in vitro plants
Micropropagation, which is GreenLab's core process, offers a number of notable advantages. "In vitro plants make it possible to introduce renewed genetics to plantations, which translates into better yields and higher quality crops," says Ortiz. This process not only improves crop homogeneity, but also helps reduce the use of agricultural inputs, as the plants have great genetic vigour and high phytosanitary quality because they are disease-free. This is especially relevant in key crops such as MD2 pineapple, bananas, coffee (with the introduction of hybrid materials) and forestry species; products where the use of in vitro plants contributes to ensuring high productivity.
The company works with a wide range of plants, including fruits such as MD2 pineapple, more than 20 genetic sorts of pitahaya, coffee and berries, as well as forestry species, such as paulownia and teak. In the ornamental sector, GreenLab offers a range of popular houseplants such as marigolds and anthuriums. Each of these products benefits from micropropagation methods that improve quality and ensure healthy growth. GreenLab also offers tailor-made in vitro multiplication protocols for agricultural and forestry species.
Impact on exports and the international market
Some of GreenLab's main markets are Panama, Mexico, Costa Rica and Africa, with Mexico as a key partner, especially for the export of MD2 pineapple and paulownia plants. Ortiz also highlights the market potential in the Canary Islands, where they export in vitro sexed papaya plants, i.e. hermaphrodite plants that offer a competitive advantage by avoiding traditional development from seeds, which speeds up the cultivation process.
The company's success has caught the attention of agro-exporters from all over Latin America, Europe and Africa. This year, GreenLab will participate in the Fruit Attraction fair in Madrid. Its goal is to meet with producers and agro-exporters and expand its network of contacts. According to Ortiz, "our participation in Fruit Attraction will allow us to meet agro-exporters who can benefit from our genetics and our in vitro plants."
In addition to its capacity to produce under controlled conditions, which reduces dependence on climatic factors, GreenLab has developed additional technologies, such as InEx, an export format that allows the delivery of pre-acclimatized plants. This breakthrough makes it easier for growers to get plants to the field with minimal effort.
GreenLab Biotechnology continues to lead the way towards more efficient and sustainable agriculture, while promoting the export of quality agricultural products from Panama.
Visit the ProPanama stand at Fruit Attraction: Hall 4, stand E17.
For more information:
GreenLab Biotechnology
Pan-American Highway, San Pedro del Espino, Veraguas, Panama.
Stefanny Ortiz
Tel.: +507 6673-0060
[email protected]
www.greenlab-biotechnology.com