In this issue, our theme was vertical farming, which included a country focus on UAE. We learn about banana production and the use of biocontrol. Among our writers we hear about how the genetics of a plant could determine the microorganisms attracted to its roots. The full contents are listed below.

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BIOSTIMULANTS

Biostimulants research in vineyards
Research into best practices in vineyards has been widespread and generally very thorough. But does that mean new research is irrelevant? Janet Kanters reports.
“The soil biostimulant improved the quality of Sauvignon blanc wines with slightly higher scores for tropical notes, body and overall pleasantness in the season 2021.”

Biostimulant News
Scientists identify bacterial genes essential for colonising plant roots / Biobest Group acquires Biobest Antalya, Biotrop / HELM unveils additions to plant advantage portfolio / SugaROx Raises Finance for T6P Technology

Aminocore – profile
Find out more about this Dutch company.
“We discovered that due to the source material our amino acids contain a lot of metabolites with different functions, which is the reason for our remarkable efficiency.”

PLANT PROTECTION

Bio Bunch
Using biocontrol in banana production
Banana is the number four food crop in the world after wheat, maize and rice. New AG International spoke to Lieselot Van der Veken of Pro Terra-Agro, who has spent the last 20 years of her career studying this vital crop, building an in-depth knowledge of Central and South America.
Did you know? Precipitation levels determine the location of the world’s organic banana production.

Scientists engineer plant microbiome for the first time
Scientists have engineered the microbiome of plants for the first time, boosting the prevalence of ‘good’ bacteria that protect the plant from disease.

Scientists develop biopesticide from fungi
Scientists have found naturally occurring pathogenic fungi infecting the Eucalyptus snout beetle in Eucalyptus forest plantations, and characterized them to develop a biopesticide for controlling the beetle.

Biopesticide harmless to mammals, but can wipe out colonies of beneficial wasps
Some wasps and bees are able to recognize sick nestmates by smell and can prevent their entry into the nest to avert infection of the entire colony. But a study shows that this recognition does not happen in paper wasps of the species Mischocyttarus metathoracicus infected by a biopesticide based on the fungus Beauveria bassiana.

Futureco Bioscience – Sponsored Content
Highlighting Futureco Bioscience’s expertise in fungal disease management of banana.
Learn how the Cavendish variety came to the fore and now constitutes half of the world’s production. Understand the spread of fungal diseases and the biological alternative Bestcure to the traditional fungicide Mancozeb.

PRECISION AGRICULTURE

Precision Agriculture News
Digital orchards: capturing pruning expertise in digital twins, data, and models / John Deere partners with SpaceX to expand rural connectivity to farmers / Bluewhite raises $39M to bring autonomous innovation to farms worldwide / Saga Robotics secures $11.5M in growth capital for U.S. and UK expansion / Intelinair expands digital platform connectivity for farmers with CNH integration / Robotic company farm-ng raises $10M Series A / Autonomy company Burro closes $24M series

PRODUCTS AND TRENDS

Middle East agrifood production is rising high
The vertical farming revolution in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
The Middle East and North Africa region, home to the world’s two largest deserts, is the most water-scarce area on Earth. Yet during the past two years, new vertical farming projects on the Arabian Peninsula have proven so successful that the region appears poised for a revolutionary transformation in agricultural productivity. Michael Tanchum writes.
Did you know? Located outside of Dubai’s international airport is the vertical farming producer Emirates Bustanica, which provides leafy green vegetables for Emirates Airlines’ flight catering.

GrowPura – a UK technology company looking to grow things differently
One company is challenging the stacked approach favoured by the early vertical farms. New AG International spoke to GrowPura’s CEO Nick Bateman to learn about the company’s different type of vertical farming design and technology.

High energy inputs turn into supreme cash crops
Oded Achilea, PhD, reports from the 3rd Symposium on Vertical Farming.
Dr Oded Achilea reported from Bologna on an event that featured 93 oral presentations on vertical farming. One of the themes was the variety of crops now being tested in vertical farms.

Products and Trends News
Growing plants in the dark / China unveils unmanned 20-storey vertical ‘plants factory’ / Seasony raises €1.5M in funding round / New vertical farm opens in Gloucestershire

IRRIGATION

New year, new outlook for the Irrigation Association
Inge Bisconer, Managing Member of Surf ‘N Earth Enterprises, is a technical sales and marketing consultant who has worked 40+ years in the agriculture and landscape irrigation industries. Elected as president of the Irrigation Association, Bisconer connected with New AG International to provide a 2024 outlook for the irrigation sector.

“The current state of the irrigation market, both domestically and internationally, is at a pivotal juncture. In the U.S., we’re seeing significant opportunities emerge due to the intensified focus on aquifer water resource management, the persistent challenges of drought…”
Inge Bisconer, president of the Irrigation Association

Irrigation News
Canada’s Lethbridge College receives $1 million for irrigation research / Reinke Irrigation and CropX debut pivot-mounted sensor / U.S. vineyard trials smart irrigation technology

GREENHOUSE CROPPING

Greenhouse Cropping News
UK Project to enhance indoor farming efficiency / Hippo Harvest announces $21M Series B funding / IGS raises £22.5 million and partners in GigaFarm / Fischer Farms establishes large vertical farm in UK

REGIONAL REPORT

Agtech Oasis
The rise of the UAE
With its lack of ploughable land, intense summer heat and no permanent rivers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is not the first country that springs to mind when discussing agriculture. But necessity is the mother of invention, and the seven emirates that constitute the UAE are using ag tech to reduce its reliance on food imports. The developments made in areas such as controlled environment agriculture and cropping in saline soils could be spun out to other countries beset by similar agricultural challenges. Luke Hutson reports.

How does a country whose population has doubled in the last 20 years feed itself? The UAE has set itself the target of topping the Global Food Security Index by 2051.

Find out about the research institute looking into saline agriculture; the fertilizer research centre newly launched by RNZ Group; the largest aeroponic tower under contruction in the UAE; the plans to reduce water consumption by agriculture; a wheat growing project; the boost in cucumber/tomato/pepper production from the increased number of greenhouses.

Speaking on ICBA’s new 10-year strategy:
“We will work to develop new varieties of climate-resilient and nutrient-rich crops. We will also continue developing technologies for managing and rehabilitating salt-affected lands through nature-based approaches.”
Director General Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, ICBA

“Despite the current downturn, it’s crucial to acknowledge the solid foundation and innovative advancements that underlie vertical farming. This industry is poised for a resurgence, driven by fundamental factors and a wave of upcoming innovations,” Henry Gordon Smith, Agritecture

AGRONOMICS AND ECONOMICS

The rise of the biofertilizer market in Brazil
The current outlook for the Brazilian fertilizer market is positive, and the Brazilian market for specialty fertilizers in particular, has been gaining considerable ground. Leonardo Gottems reports.

Genetics of host plants determine what microorganisms they attract
Plants often develop communities with microorganisms in their roots, which influences plant health and development. Although the recruitment of these microbes is dictated by several factors, it is unclear whether the genetic variation in the host plants plays a role. In a new study, researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign explored this question and their work can help improve agriculture productivity. Ananya Sen writes.

Agronomics and Economics News
Effects of extreme drought studied / Increasing soil salinity: new discovery may help make crops more resilient / Recycled phosphorus fertilizer reduces nutrient leaching, maintains yield / Electronic “soil” enhances crop growth / Satellites and AI could help farmers detect soybean aphid infestations / Grant for fertilizer made from fire-prone invasive plants / Yara acquires organic-based fertilizer business of Italy’s Agribios / Huma expands turf and ornamental division by acquiring Gro-Power

PEOPLE
Dean Banks appointed CEO of Indigo Ag, CEO-partner of Flagship Pioneering
Compass Minerals names Edward Dowling CEO
New CEO of Andermatt Kenya
Vestaron appoints Juan Estupinan as interim CEO
Organic Seed Alliance appoints new executive director
New general manager of AlphaBio Control
AlgaEnergy and Nutrient TECH welcome new president for North America
BeeHero Welcomes Ze’ev Barylka as chief sales and marketing officer