Ag Companies Partner On Corn Disease

Ag Companies Partner On Corn Disease UK-based agri-biotech innovator Phytoform (Vol. 49, No. 3) and global agricultural technology leader Corteva are joining forces to explore AI’s role in improving corn’s natural disease resistance. Phytoform’s CRE.AI.TIVE platform, which utilizes machine learning, will be used to apply gene editing to enhance corn’s resistance to disease challenges. Regarding Corteva’s role in the partnership, CRE.AI.TIVE will analyze millions of possible variations in plant DNA control regions to identify those most effective at boosting resistance to two common corn diseases. The two companies have not yet revealed the names of these diseases. “We’re thrilled to have signed this agreement with Corteva,” says Dr. Will Pelton, CEO and co-founder of Phytoform. “By accelerating what nature can achieve through our shared technologies, we’re taking steps to make global food production more sustainable and secure for one of the world’s most important crops.” Pelton explains that Corteva has these genes in its germplasm. “That’s exactly where we can help, and without creating GMO traits. They can fine-tune their existing genome to activate those genes and confer that disease resistance.” The partnership with Corteva enables Phytoform to address this widely grown species. “We can work across many different species,” Pelton says. “It means a lot in terms of the impact we can have.” “This work shows how AI and biology can come together to build a more climate-resilient food system,” adds Dr. Nicolas Kral, Phytoform Chief Technology Officer and co-founder. “We’re not just fixing plants; we’re future-proofing agriculture.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Phytoform Labs, Greentown Labs, Boston, Mass. 02143 (www.phytoformlabs.com).

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