In this issue, Biostimulant yield effectiveness meta-analysis / Rearing of beneficial pests via insectaries / New Edge Microbials, the market leader in Australia for inoculants / greenhouse vegetable industry / Geothermal Greenhouse crop production: Iceland, and much more.

Free access here.

Here are the main features and news items:

BIOSTIMULANTS

Biostimulant yield effectiveness meta-analysis
A meta-analysis of biostimulant yield effectiveness, published last year, shows an average additional yield benefit of about 18 percent, a surprise for many. And yet, not a surprise. Janet Kanters reports. Read here.

Mountaintop grasslands harbour beneficial bacteria
In Brazil’s campos rupestres, researchers have discovered an unprecedented diversity of microorganisms that are highly specialized in capturing and recycling the phosphorus available in the soil. The discovery paves the way for the development of new agricultural biotechnologies aimed at increasing agricultural cultivars’ phosphorus absorption.

Biostimulant News
Rovensa Group launches Rovensa Next / Acadian Plant Health launches newly branded vision / Indigo Ag and ISAOSA partner on microbial technology for Mexico / Verdesian launches new biological / Ferm O Feed and PHC merge into Den Ouden GrowSolutions / Olmix acquires Bois Valor

PLANT PROTECTION

It’s a bug-eat-bug world
Nature has a way of keeping checks and balances in place and left to its own devices will prevent mass-outbreaks of pests. But increasingly, human intervention has been required to assist – and one way is in the rearing of beneficial pests via insectaries that breed beneficial insects for the agriculture industry worldwide. Lindi Botha reports.

Working with Mother Nature to control crop pests
Keeping up with insect pests is a mighty challenge for growers around the world. While chemicals can sometimes take care of business, today’s consumers are seeking safer, economical and more “Earth-loving” measures to control insect pests in food crops. Editor Janet Kanters reports on BigSis, a revolutionary company that has reinvented the sterile insect technique (SIT) by automating the individualized production of sterile male insects.

Biocontrol News
Beneficial Insectary acquires Sierra Biological Inc. / CRISPR system used to befuddle bacteria / Researchers analyze performance of bacterium in combating coffee rust / Bayer launches new collaboration with Oerth Bio / New formulation of BotryStop available / Sympathy for the weevil

PRECISION AGRICULTURE

Leaping beetles inspire miniature jumping robots
Inspired by jumping insects, University of Oxford (UK) researchers have helped develop a miniature robot capable of leaping more than 40 times its body length. The innovation could be a major step forward in developing microrobots for a wide range of applications.

Precision Agriculture News
Cropin raises funds to expand Cropin Cloud / John Deere, Nutrien Ag Solutions partner on digital connectivity / SwarmFarm Robotics raises AUD$12 million

LEADER PROFILE

Thinking inside the box
New Edge Microbials, the market leader in Australia for inoculants, knows a thing or two about scaling up fermentation production. It’s what CEO Ben Barlow describes as going from the lab to inside a box. And it’s easier said than done. To keep ahead of the game, the company has consolidated its growth in recent years with a research partnership with Australia’s premier research organization CSIRO and a deal that puts money back into research based on every box sold. NAI Chief Analyst Luke Hutson spoke with Managing Director Ben Barlow.

PRODUCTS AND TRENDS

Products and Trends News
Demonstrating the potential of indoor-grown wheat / IAEA and FAO send seeds to International Space Station / Plants in space research gets funding boost

IRRIGATION

Irrigation Association looks forward to 2023
Randy A. Wood has served as president and chief executive officer of Lindsay Corporation since January 2021. Newly elected as president of the Irrigation Association, Wood connected with New AG International to discuss the Irrigation Association in 2023.

Unlocking marginally saline water irrigation potential
The potential to use marginally saline water to irrigate horticulture crops is being examined by research that could unlock underutilized water supplies in Western Australia – supporting business resilience and industry expansion.

Irrigation News
Sensing water for smarter agriculture / Kenya launches National Irrigation Services Strategy / UK and Kenya universities partner to improve crop production / Valmont secures agreement to provide irrigation equipment to Africa

GREENHOUSE CROPPING

Greenhouse vegetable production expanding globally
The greenhouse vegetable industry has been on a tear over the last two decades, in part due to rising demand for fresh fruits and vegetables. Although growth in production volumes and facility expansion are expected to slow worldwide, industry stakeholders say the number of acres under glass and plastic, and the variety of vegetables being produced, will continue trending upwards – effectively doubling by 2030. Matt McIntosh reports.

Greenhouse crop production: Iceland
It might seem there is opportunity for greenhouse production of vegetables and fruit virtually anywhere in the world. While that may be so, one of the more intriguing locations could realistically be Iceland. With its unique conditions and natural resources, the country offers the possibility of very sustainable production of food in greenhouses for export to the world. Janet Kanters reports.

Greenhouse Cropping News
Freshbay planning first deep earth geothermal powered CEA facility / Quebec’s greenhouse producers strive for food self-sufficiency / Plenty building vertical farming research center / Saudi Arabia enters vertical farming venture with AeroFarms / IPM scouting, yield forecasting robot for greenhouses unveiled

REGIONAL REPORT

Biologicals in Kenya: a license to operate
The Kenyan economy is predominantly reliant on agricultural exports. In a world where chemical residues are becoming taboo and biosecurity laws can quickly shut down markets, it comes as no surprise that Kenya is one of the leaders on the African continent in biological control of crop pests and diseases. Lindi Botha reports.

AGRONOMICS AND ECONOMICS

Argentine fertilizer consumption breaks record
Fertilizer consumption in Argentina reached 4.54 million tons in the 2021-22 season for the six main crops grown in that South American country: soy, corn, wheat, sunflower, sorghum and barley. The result was a record and represented an increase of 12 percent compared to the previous year (2020-21). Leonardo Gottems reports.

Increasing phosphorus availability and uptake with biostimulants
Phosphorus deficiency is one of the major factors limiting crop yields worldwide – but biostimulants are showing increasing potential in improving P uptake. Chr. Hansen’s Andrew Somerville explains how a unique B megaterium strain can increase phosphorus availability and uptake.

Agronomics and Economics News
The secret language of photosynthesis / Study: Nanotechnology could improve fertilizer / Research reveals plant roots change shape / Terramera launches enrichAg

PEOPLE
New North America GM at Groundwork BioAg
AgBiome appoints Holt as VP innovation
Jord BioScience announces new CEO
Bill Anderson to become CEO of Bayer AG
New president at Bio Huma Netics
Lindsay Corporation appoints senior VP
Schwartz joins Flagship Pioneering, Invaio Sciences
New CEO at HGS BioScience
New VP content, client engagement at Dunham Trimmer