Soils, Inputs & Water: Our selection of original articlesOur selection

Michael Lepelley, Value Chain Business development Manager cez Yara.

Low-Carbon Fertilizers: What Challenges Lie Ahead for Scaling Up?

As the world's leading producer of nitrogen fertilizers, Yara inaugurated on September 7 in the Netherlands the largest CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) facility in Europe, which will enable the industrial shift to low-carbon fertilizers. Michael Lepelley, Value Chain Business Development Manager, explains that the real challenge now is not technical but commercial, emphasizing the need to share the additional costs across the entire supply chain.

Anne Barrat - 22 September 2026

France Approves Controlled Reintroduction of Two Insecticides for Several Agricultural Sectors

FRANCE. By validating the core of the agricultural emergency law, the Constitutional Council paves the way for the implementation of several long-awaited measures by the sectors. The text allows, under certain conditions and temporarily, the reintroduction of acetamiprid for hazelnuts and flupyradifurone for apples, cherries, and sugar beets, to address the lack of effective alternatives.

14 August 2026

Cadmium

Cadmium in Our Plates: Levers and Innovations to Limit Its Presence in Food

Cadmium, a metal naturally present in the environment, has become an unwanted element in our diet. Revealing an overexposure of the French population, the report published by Anses in March 2026 highlights the need to lower the cadmium levels in food. Solutions are emerging at the intersection of agronomy, genetics, and technology. Here, we review five of them to understand how they can help limit its presence in food.

Aurore Dupont - 13 July 2026

SPECIAL WATER REPORT

Mekki Maalej, founder of Agri Safe: "AI does not replace farmers, it transforms data into water savings"

In this new segment of our special report on water, we hear from Mekki Maalej, founder of Agri Safe. Coming from a family of farmers in Tunisia and now based in Toulouse, the entrepreneur explains how artificial intelligence can help farmers irrigate more precisely and save up to 35% of water.

Anne Barrat - 10 July 2026

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Un tracteur fertilisant un champ rural avec du fumier liquide pour l'agriculture.

Bayer Partners with Switch Bioworks to Develop Programmable Nitrogen Biofertilizers

California-based startup Switch Bioworks has teamed up with Bayer Crop Science to develop genetically modified microorganisms that can fix nitrogen only after they have established themselves on plant roots. This technology aims to enhance the efficiency of biological fertilization. Field trials have been authorized in the United States and Brazil.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "Deep tech pioneer Switch Bioworks announces collaboration wi..." - 14 October 2026

AGENDA

ABIM 2026: Biocontrol Industry Meeting Set to Take Place in Basel

From October 20 to 22, 2026, the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) will bring together key players in biocontrol in Basel to discuss scientific advancements, innovations, and regulatory developments. This event will provide an opportunity to discover new projects and reward the best innovations in crop protection.

Source: Agro Matin, published under the title "[Agenda] Biocontrôle : l’ABIM se tiendra du 20 au 22 octobre..." - 9 October 2026

Gros plan sur des plantes fraîches émergeant d'un sol légèrement enneigé en hiver.

A New Method for Improved Measurement of Phosphorus in Soils

Researchers have developed a simpler and more cost-effective method for measuring DNA-bound phosphorus in soils. Their work highlights a close association between this fraction of phosphorus and soil microorganisms. This methodological advancement could enhance the understanding of the cycle of this essential nutrient for crops and ultimately contribute to more effective management of phosphorus resources.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "New soil test could reveal how soil microbes help feed plant..." - 9 October 2026

Main tenant une poignée d'ensilage biologique destiné à l'alimentation agricole, en extérieur.

Lucent Bio Leverages Starch to Replace Microplastics in Fertilizers

Canadian company Lucent BioSciences secures up to $1.98 million in federal funding to develop a biodegradable starch-based coating for controlled-release fertilizers. The goal is to replace polymer coatings that may leave microplastics in soils while improving nitrogen efficiency and reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with fertilization.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "Lucent BioSciences secures up to $1.98 million in federal fu..." - 9 October 2026

Vue intérieure d'une distillerie industrielle de tequila avec de grands conteneurs en métal étiquetés 'Mosto'.

Zymofix Invests €6 Million to Industrialize Biofertilizer Production

Belgian company Zymofix is investing €6 million in a solid-state fermentation plant in Deinze, aimed at industrializing its production of microorganisms for agriculture. After validating its technology at a pilot scale, the company targets an annual capacity of 300 tons by 2027, which it estimates will be sufficient to cover one million hectares with its biostimulants and biofertilizers.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "Zymofix to build flagship microbial manufacturing plant as i..." - 9 October 2026

Vue superbe de la campagne avec des collines ondulantes et des terres agricoles à Pitanga, Paraná, Brésil.

Switch Bioworks Authorized to Conduct Nitrogen-Fixing Trials in Brazil

American company Switch Bioworks has received approval from Brazil's National Technical Commission on Biosafety (CTNBio) to conduct field trials of its nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. The technology aims to reduce the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers through biological nitrogen fixation. Following the United States and Kenya, Brazil becomes a new testing ground for the company, allowing it to evaluate its solutions across additional crop cycles.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "Switch Bioworks secures Brazil approval, strengthening its g..." - 9 October 2026

Vue aérienne du vaste paysage urbain et rural d'Hortolândia, São Paulo, Brésil.

Concerns Over Regulatory Delays in Brazil's Organic Market Expansion

The Brazilian biocontrol product market reached 1.82 billion reais in the first half of 2026, marking a 9.6% year-on-year increase. Treated areas grew even faster, up 18.3% to 46.2 million hectares. However, this momentum is hindered by the slow implementation of Law 15.070/2024, which is intended to provide a suitable regulatory framework for the development of biological inputs.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "Brazil’s biologicals market expands, but regulatory delays r..." - 9 October 2026

France Invests €30 Million to Accelerate Alternatives to Pesticides

The French government is mobilizing nearly €30 million to support initiatives aimed at reducing the use of phytopharmaceutical products in greenhouse crops and the hazelnut sector. The Pragmatic, Coop Protect, and Boliid projects exemplify this commitment to transitioning towards more sustainable agricultural practices by integrating agronomic levers and agroecological protection methods.

Publié par Pleinchamp, Source: Pleinchamp, published under the title "Pragmatic, Coop Protect et Boliid : trois projets pour faire..." - 9 October 2026

France Allocates €15.3 Million to Accelerate Alternatives to Pesticides

France's Ministry of Agriculture has announced funding for two collective projects aimed at reducing the use of phytopharmaceutical products in large-scale farming and vegetable growing. These initiatives, supported by €15.3 million, bring together farmers, experts, and companies to facilitate the adoption of alternative practices and share the risks associated with this transition towards more sustainable farming methods.

Source: Actu Environnement, published under the title "Alternatives aux pesticides : deux projets soutenus pour les..." - 9 October 2026

EU Renews Conditional Approval for Spinosad Insecticide

The European Union has renewed the approval of spinosad, a biological insecticide used in both conventional and organic agriculture, particularly against thrips. Marketed by Corteva under the brand Qalcova active, this substance remains valuable amid the reduction of available solutions for certain crops. The renewal comes with restrictions aimed at protecting pollinators and mandates a review of national authorizations for the affected products.

Source: Agro Matin, published under the title "Qalcova active (spinosad) : « maintenir une solution face au..." - 9 October 2026