A variety of screening strategies can be employed for discovering novel agrochemicals such as fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and antiparasitics. Traditionally, random evaluation of chemical and natural products samples has been used in assay systems ranging from greenhouse testing down to in vitro microplate screening. This task can be formidable depending on the size of sample libraries and personnel resources available. One important tool in the overall discovery process is the application of highly specific and sensitive mechanism-based assays for the purpose of identifying novel leads. This article describes high throughput, agar-based screening techniques successfully implemented in a decentralized screening environment where laboratory space and staffing are limited. Through the prudent use of automated and manual high-density agar-based techniques, multiple sources of samples can now be processed and evaluated against multiple targets in a timely fashion. Assay validation can be streamlined. The advantages and disadvantages of an agar-based screening approach are discussed.
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