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Venture claims bacteria, fungi increase yields
 
 By DOUG SCHMITZ
Iowa Correspondent
 
HUXLEY, Iowa — A newly-discovered microscopic
bacteria and fungi are increasing crop yields as much
as 10 percent, based on results from research conducted
across 170,000 field trial plots in 70 locations
throughout the United States.
That’s according to Monsanto Co. and Copenhagen,
Denmark-based Novozymes officials speaking at a
BioAg Alliance Media Day on Aug. 26 at the Monsanto
farm’s new learning center in Huxley.
“The early results from 2013 showed a lot of promise,”
said Robb Fraley, executive vice president and chief
technology officer at Monsanto, headquartered in St.
Louis. “We discovered several microbes that are
demonstrating increased yield in corn and soybeans.”
This year alone, officials from both companies said
they expected to more than double the number of
research field plots next season. “We have expanded
testing this year and believe we are on track to discover
transformational microbial products farmers can
add to their toolbox,” Fraley told reporters.
Last December, Novozymes and Monsanto officials
signed a $300 million agreement to form the Alliance to
develop and sell new agricultural products based on
microbes such as bacteria and fungi.
“The Alliance brings together Novozymes’ capabilities
for discovering, developing and producing microbes
and Monsanto’s discovery capabilities, field testing and
market reach,” said Jim Shamp, director of public relations
at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in
Research Triangle Park, N.C.
In April, Novozymes announced the establishment of
a new research and development center, located near
the Research Triangle Park in Cary, N.C., dedicated to
its bioagriculture business, where the company will
invest $36 million over the next three years and create
100 new research and development jobs.
“The world needs sustainable agricultural solutions
now more than ever before,” said Thomas Videbaek,
Novozymes executive vice president of business development.
“By boosting our research and development of
‘environmentally-friendly’ microbial technology, we will
help farmers meet this demand sooner rather than later.
“The new R&D center in North Carolina is a concrete
step to help speed our technology to market from a
state with a long history of agricultural innovation.”
Moreover, Novozymes and Monsanto officials last
week highlighted how the companies’ newly-formed
BioAg Alliance is working to “develop innovations for
agriculture to boost productivity and further support
the management of natural resources on the farm.”
Initially established in February, the Alliance is
expected to expand the research and commercialization
of a new generation of microbials to “help farmers
meet the world’s demands for food and feed in a sustainable
way.” Videbaek said the Alliance is researching
the next generation of these solutions, and has already
introduced two types of microbial products: inoculants,
which help plants take up nutrients; and biocontrol,
which help protect plants against pests, disease and
weeds.
He added the products can be used by farmers growing
broad acre crops such as corn and soy, and on
fruits and vegetables.
“Microbials have a significant potential to transform
modern agriculture and help meet growing global
demand for food,” he said. “The goal of The BioAg
Alliance is to bring cutting-edge innovation in microbials
to farmers, so they can produce more crops with
fewer inputs.”
According to Videbaek, microbials make up about
two-thirds of the agricultural biologicals industry and
build on the successful application of microbes in
everything from personal health care to food processing
and production.
“Today, microbials such as Rhizobium offer farmers
ways to replace or complement traditional fertilizers,
while Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprays continue to be
used in organic and conventional agriculture,” he said.
Adam Monroe, president of Novozymes North
America, said scientists at the new site in North
Carolina will research and develop beneficial microorganisms
found in the soil, with the resulting technology
focusing on improved crop yield, fertility and pest
control for growers around the world.
“The significant expansion of R&D resources will
enable Novozymes’ scientists to pursue more and better
biological solutions for the ever-changing challenges
facing global agriculture,” he said.
9/12/2014