Floranova to build new research station in Chile in early 2016

Published January 13, 2016

Floranova has announced that a brand new, purpose built research station will be built in Chile in early 2016 and will be operational by mid-2016, according to a press release.

Chile provides a climate and day-length very similar to that experienced in California, enabling plant breeding to be just as effective. Furthermore, Chile has become a very important production territory for Floranova and there are significant advantages in being able to select for quantitative traits in the production environment. Bringing research and production closer together will enable Floranova to speed up the product development process and enhance the effectiveness of bringing new crops to market.

The relocation to the southern hemisphere gives tremendous synergy to Floranova’s global research activity due to the contra-season opportunities between Chile and the other two main breeding stations based in Europe and Asia, according to the release.

As a result of the new development the current research station located in Lompoc, Calif. will be closed in a phased plan during 2016 and the research programs transitioned to the new station in Chile. Paul Talmadge, Director of Research, will oversee the relocation and will relocate to Chile by the end of 2016.

Due to the ongoing site closure, Floranova & Vegetalis will not participate in California Spring Trials (CAST) 2016. This is only a short term measure and the companies fully intend to be back at a new location for CAST 2017.