Ag tech company extending microbial products to vegetable crops

Ag tech company BioConsortia has extended its line of microbial products beyond cereal crops to potatoes and other vegetables.

Field trial results have confirmed nitrogen-fixing microbial seed treatment products increased yields and reduced fertilizer use, according to a news release. The 2023 trials found that levels of nitrogen-replacement from BioConsortia’s seed and soil treatment products met or exceeded performance expectations when evaluated in potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce.

“The field results in potatoes and other vegetables continue to impress, and we’re excited to continue our work with vegetable seed developers, input providers and growers around the globe as we get one step closer to product launch,” Hong Zhu, senior vice president of Research and Development at BioConsortia, said in the release.

BioConsortia’s seed treatment products have been validated through hundreds of field trials in crops including wheat, rice and corn, delivering increased yield or enabling nitrogen displacement, according to the release. In fruit and vegetable markets, BioConsortia will offer both seed treatment and formulations designed for application to soil or through drip irrigation.

“This is an exciting development for BioConsortia and the vegetable industry,” Marcus Meadows-Smith, BioConsortia CEO, said. “Products like these allow growers to reduce their reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and better meet the challenges of balancing crop productivity with ecological safety.”