Author: Hithaishi CB

VIXERAN® enables farmers to optimize nitrogen fertilizer use and transition to more sustainable on-farm practices Syngenta Crop Protection and Ceres Biotics have entered into an agreement aimed at increasing farmer access to VIXERAN® in order to optimize nitrogen fertilizer use globally. VIXERAN® offers farmers greater flexibility in their nitrogen management strategies and optimizes crop performance in two key ways: it complements standard nitrogen fertilization programs to effectively boost yield potential beyond traditional methods, and, in situations where nitrogen availability is reduced due to environmental factors or supply constraints, VIXERAN® can help farmers maintain their yield targets. VIXERAN® is an innovative…

Bayer will be able to make better agricultural decisions globally with the help of Planet’s satellite imagery and analytics A multi-year enterprise license agreement has been signed between Planet Labs PBC and Bayer, a leading provider of daily data and insights about change on Earth. With this agreement, Planet will extend its satellite imagery and analytics to Bayer’s commercial operations, enabling Bayer to make better agricultural decisions globally. By signing the enterprise license agreement, Bayer commits to long-term collaboration, ensuring that it has the geospatial intelligence needed to support its strategic priorities and advance agricultural digital innovation. By leveraging a…

Harnesses technology to track airborne particles containing fungal spores An Australian project by Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is harnessing technology to track airborne disease spores to improve disease management for grain growers. Growers now have access to localised and accurate data. In the three-year, $3.6 million project, growers and advisers will have an earlier opportunity to detect blackleg, botrytis, leaf blights and spots (alternaria species), cereal powdery mildew, and general rust. The GRDC investment is led by BioScout with support from several research and commercial partners across Australia. As part of the project, a network of sensors that…

Fresh kiwiberries are the first to meet the stipulated phytosanitary requirements for entering the Chinese market since the implementation of a new protocol signed between China and New Zealand governments in June 2024. A batch of 324-kilogram kiwiberries imported from New Zealand arrived in Shanghai on a cargo plane and completed custom clearance. Shanghai Pudong International Airport has enhanced efficiency in customs clearance and cold chain logistics, ensuring efficient transportation for quick delivery. Shanghai experienced a peak in the import of both fresh and dried fruits, as well as nuts during the Spring Festival. In the first two months of…

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,…