ICL joins forces with PlantArcBio to boost crop yields
Published by Isabelle Keltie,
Editorial Assistant
World Fertilizer,
ICL, a leading global specialty minerals company, and ag-biotech company PlantArcBio, Ltd have announced the development of a novel bio-stimulant technology platform, which will improve crop yields while having a minimal impact on the environment. The platform successfully uses of RNAi technology to maximise a plant's natural yield increase mechanisms, without any genetic modification, and was the result of a multi-year research collaboration between the two companies.
In early-stage canola field trials, the platform has significantly increased seed weight per hectare for canola crops, and ICL and PlantArcBio are planning larger-scale field trials in 2022. These will include testing the new technology platform using both commercial sprayers and standard farming practices. Greenhouse trials for soybeans and rice are already in progress, with early results showing good potential.
Hadar Sutovsky, vice president of External Innovation and general manager of ICL Planet explains: "The use of novel biostimulants based on RNAi technology helps promote sustainability, by reducing the use of chemicals in agriculture. This aligns perfectly with ICL's long-term goal of creating impact and sustainable growth in the agriculture end-market, alongside ensuring food security." The global biostimulants market was estimated to be $3.2 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.1% to reach $5.6 billion by 2026, according to ReportLinker.com.
"ICL and PlantArcBio have filed for a joint patent on the application for multiple crops," said Sutovsky. "The application does its work, then rapidly disappears from both the plants and the environment, lasting no more than a few days, as it is highly biodegradable and also leaves no residual footprint."
Dror Shalitin, Ph.D., founder and CEO of PlantArcBio commented: "The positive canola field trial results constitute another milestone in strengthening PlantArcBio's capabilities in the development of RNAi-based products. ICL, a market leader in crop nutrition products, is a great strategic partner for us to commercialise this sustainable technology worldwide."
Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/project-news/21072022/icl-joins-forces-with-plantarcbio-to-boost-crop-yields/
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