Author: Hithaishi CB

Real-time, non-destructive monitoring of iron uptake, transport, and changes between its different forms, such as Fe(II) and Fe(III) Singapore researchers have developed a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanosensor capable of simultaneously detecting and differentiating between iron forms – Fe(II) and Fe(III) – in living plants. A ground-breaking innovation was developed by the Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) interdisciplinary research group (IRG) at Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s Singapore research enterprise. It was developed in collaboration with the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Iron is crucial for plant health, supporting…

Syngenta will lease Novartis’ fermentation pilot plant and science laboratories in Basel, Switzerland As a leading developer of next-generation biologicals products for agricultural use, Syngenta is expanding its biologicals research efforts and development capabilities significantly.  Syngenta has acquired Novartis’ repository of natural compounds and genetic strains for use in agriculture, while Novartis retains exclusive rights in the pharmaceutical repository. Novartis’ Natural Products and Biomolecular Chemistry team will also be transferred to Syngenta as part of the transaction.  Syngenta gains access to an important source of new agricultural leads due to this move, as well as integrated capabilities in bioengineering, data…

Crop Science division of Bayer announced the introduction of Vyconic™ soybeans, a new trait technology that will be the first to feature five herbicide tolerances all in one breakthrough trait. The unveiling took place at Commodity Classic 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Vyconic soybeans will represent a leap forward in weed control, enabling farmers to manage their fields with unparalleled flexibility. Key Highlights of Vyconic Soybeans: Five Herbicide Tolerances in One Trait: Vyconic soybeans will be the first in the industry to offer tolerance to five herbicides: dicamba, glufosinate, mesotrione, 2,4-D and glyphosate. This complex trait package will provide farmers with unparalleled…

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (“Yamaha”) today announced the launch of Yamaha Agriculture, Inc., a new company focused on delivering autonomous equipment and AI-powered digital solutions that help growers in the specialty crop market become more sustainable, profitable and resilient in the face of scarcer resources and climate change. Through the strategic acquisitions of Robotics Plus1 and The Yield, Yamaha Agriculture will provide robotics solutions for spraying, weeding and other field operations, while leveraging advanced data analytics and AI to enable precision farming and data-driven decision making for growers of wine grapes, apples and other specialty crops in North America, Australia and New Zealand. “Establishing…

Syngenta, a world leader in developing the next generation of biologicals products for agricultural use, is significantly expanding its biologicals research and development capabilities. Today, it announced that it has acquired the Novartis repository of natural compounds and genetic strains for agricultural use, while Novartis maintains exclusive rights to repository for pharmaceutical use. The transaction also includes transfer of the Novartis Natural Products and Biomolecular Chemistry team to Syngenta. The move gives Syngenta access to an important source of novel leads for agricultural research, and offers Syngenta integrated capabilities in bioengineering, data science, fermentation, downstream processing, as well as analytics.…

Farmers Edge™, a premier agricultural technology provider, today announced its role in powering Conduit’s online platform. Conduit is connecting customers with solutions that optimize profitability across the ag supply chain. Through its Managed Technology Services, Farmers Edge provides the back-end technology essential to the creation, functionality, and scalability of the platform. Launched in April 2024, Conduit aims to transform ag financing and provide technological solutions to its customers to increase their profitability. With two decades of agronomic experience, $100M in R&D in digital agronomy, and 100+ in-house experts, Farmers Edge Managed Services fills a critical gap in digital transformation across agriculture,…

China will expand the scope of subsidies for replacing old and worn-out agricultural machinery and raise subsidy levels in 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said Tuesday. The existing nine types of agricultural machinery will be joined by six new categories in the subsidy program, namely, rice seedling-throwing machines, farmland monitoring terminals, plant protection drones, grain dryers (drying machines), color sorters and flour mills, the ministry said in a statement on its website. China will continue to increase the subsidy standards for certain agricultural machinery this year. For example, the maximum subsidy for replacing a cotton picker will…

Pivot Bio’s latest technology is now accessible to growers and partners across the U.S. Cotton Belt. A new synthetic cotton crop product has been commercially launched in the United States by Pivot Bio, one of the world’s leading innovators in the agtech sector. Initially, Pivot Bio will make the product available through its distribution partners to a select group of growers in this season, with a full commercial launch planned for 2026. CERT-N™ will join other Pivot Bio products including PROVEN® and RETURN®, and a soon-to-be-launched next generation product in corn for the 2026 season. Pivot Bio’s patent-protected technology provides…

The projects will bolster Australia’s future timber supply Australia has announced grants of over $10.4 million for 14 new plantation projects through round 3 of the Support Plantation Establishment program. The program is playing an important role in stimulating investment and growth in Australia’s wood supply. The 14 projects will establish hardwood and softwood plantations ranging in size from 21 to 1928 hectares, to a total of approximately 5,500 hectares, in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. The projects will bolster Australia’s future timber supply while contributing to meeting Australia’s carbon emissions targets. Australia is strongly…

To enhance the economic viability, efficiency, and reliability of renewable energy storage systems (ESS) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Trinasolar, a global smart photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage solutions provider, are collaborating to develop smart energy storage systems (ESS) to enhance efficiency, reliability, and economic viability in renewable energy applications. As solar, wind, and hydrogen energy sources expand globally, energy storage technologies will play a critical role in ensuring power grid stability and optimising energy use. Led by the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), the collaboration aims to develop AI-driven tools that can improve investment decisions, enhance system stability through…