Parry’s Research & Development Center was established in India, during the year 1992. With the vision of “Harnessing science for customer needs“, the Center is exploring new horizons for innovative intellectual asset creation in cutting-edge research areas through unique ideas using the state-of-the-art research facilities.
The R&D center, recognized by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India, is equipped with advanced instrumentation facility of international standard for performing leading-edge research in the areas of operations. The three main research areas of focus, which are referred as three verticals of operation are:
- Chemistry (Analytical & Natural Product Chemistry)
- Microbiology
- Entomology & Field evaluation
In addition to research on neem and a proprietary plant extract for PGR properties, the R&D is spreading its horizons into new areas of research such as water management segment, Microbial segment, and organic herbicides. In line with the market trends due to the globalization of economy and customer needs, R&D center aligns its research efforts to deliver outcomes of science to the benefit of mankind and support Murugappa Group for its sustained growth and profitability.
Chemistry
(Analytical & Natural Product Chemistry)
The chemistry laboratory has two major divisions namely the Natural Product Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry.
Natural Product Chemistry:
Natural product division indulges in the development of various ranges of Azadirachtin (Neem) based bio-pesticide formulations. To develop new products our Natural product department is equipped with advanced instruments such as Preparative chromatography, high vacuum Rotary evaporator, IKA high-speed Homogenizer and vacuum oven etc.
Analytical Chemistry:
This division plays a key role in new product development and ensures adherence to quality standards. A range of equipment necessary for analyzing new molecules from herbal extracts and other natural sources have been installed in the department. Various highly sophisticated instruments installed in this laboratory include High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), UV-Visible Spectroscopy and High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC).
Microbiology
The microbiology department of the R&D center is focused on developing microbial biopesticides for the control of various pest and diseases affecting crops. The department is actively engaged in the development of protocols for mass multiplication of biocontrol agents. The department has a futuristic vision of formulation of biocontrol agents with extended shelf life by using cutting-edge technologies. Further the department conducts in house, semi field and field evaluations of the products developed and continually supports the marketing team with relevant data for sales-promotion.
The department is fully equipped with state of the art equipments such as fully automated fermenters with SCADA, laminar air flow chambers, gel electrophoresis unit, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) , Plant growth chamber, Solid state fermenters, BOD incubators , Orbital shakers, Phase contrast microscope etc. The department boasts with highly qualified personnel with the total experience of 55 years in the field of agricultural microbiology.
Entomology & Agronomy
Entomology and agronomy department of the R&D center is involved in research activities, such as evaluation of bio-products to ensure lab and field bio efficacy against insect pest complex, nematodes and plant growth promoters. The insectary is used for constant viable insect maintenance of test insects which are used for bio efficacy evaluation of new products developed by the R&D.
Further, the Agronomy department is involved in establishing crops for the evaluation of plant growth promoters and new formulations. To perform these studies the department is equipped with rain out shelters, online weather station, fogging systems, etc.
Insect culturing for bio efficacy studies
Lab bio efficacy studies for product evaluation