AI speeds development of next generation biostimulants
Syngenta and the pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) company TraitSeq have combined forces to use the full power of AI for the development of innovative, high-performance biostimulants.
As a world leader in developing the next generation of biological products, Syngenta will use its extensive knowledge of crop biology to complement TraitSeq’s proprietary AI methods, to identify highly specific indicators of a plant’s cellular state, called biomarkers.
When activated, these biomarkers can indicate how well a plant is responding to efforts to boost its health or to block the effects of external abiotic stressors. Biostimulants are applied to enhance natural plant processes, leading to increased tolerance to abiotic stress, an improved nutrient use efficiency or better plant health and quality.
However, the performance of biostimulants as a vital and growing component of plant science can be variable, depending on environmental factors such as temperature and local climate.
Using TraitSeq’s sophisticated technology, scientists from both teams aim to utilise AI to analyse complex biological data, to uncover the intricate molecular interactions that impact a plant’s ability to respond to abiotic stress.
Once specific biomarkers can be identified, scientists hope to be able to quickly and accurately assess the efficacy of a new biostimulant in enhancing plant health.
The development of such biostimulants also fits in Syngenta’s efforts to support a transition in ornamental crop management practices and its commitment to sustainability.
Camilla Corsi, Syngenta Head of Research & Development, said: “At Syngenta, we are accelerating the pace at which we innovate, to deliver urgently needed solutions.
“Technologies such as TraitSeq’s AI-driven platform enable us to revolutionise our research and attain important data-driven insights, so that we can develop the next-generation of sustainable solutions faster – while further strengthening our pipeline of innovative technologies.”
Dr. Joshua Colmer, CEO of TraitSeq, added: “This partnership highlights how TraitSeq’s versatile platform can transform developments by uncovering predictive biomarkers that directly link molecular insights to biostimulant performance.
“By equipping Syngenta’s innovation pipeline with these capabilities, we aim to optimise and accelerate the development of new biological solutions, which will support the adoption of more sustainable practices.”
Biostimulants offer an important solution to improve the sustainability of ornamental crop management operations, while addressing challenges arising from an increasingly constrained toolbox of available technologies and evolving customer demands.
