Soils, Inputs & Water: AI-assisted international press reviewPress review

Perplant, a Danish startup, raises €1 million to deploy its ultra-precise spraying AI

Perplant, a Danish startup, has successfully raised €1 million to develop AI sensor technology for tractors, enabling a 90% reduction in herbicide use and a 30% decrease in fertilizers. The technology allows real-time crop monitoring with an accuracy of 2 to 10 cm. Perplant has already mapped over 200,000 hectares in Europe, creating the largest precision database in the Nordic countries and anticipates potential savings of €36,000 per year for a 200-hectare farm.

From Mushrooms to Nanoparticles: A New Generation of Biological Fungicides for Potatoes

A recent study highlights the use of copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized by fungi as a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides. By isolating fungi from soil in Egypt, researchers developed an innovative method that not only combats the Fusarium falciforme pathogen, reducing mycelial growth by 33.95%, but also enhances potato productivity by up to 40%.

Input Distribution: In Brazil, Profitability Replaces Volume Pursuit

By 2026, agricultural input distribution in Brazil will face a challenging reality where growth through volume is no longer sufficient. Distributors must overcome challenges such as the complexity of product portfolios, increasing demands from growers, rising demand for organic products, and a shortage of skilled labor. To thrive, they must adopt rigorous management practices and train their teams in quality customer service.

Precision Fertilization: A German Trial Shows Nitrogen Can Be Reduced Without Yield Loss

A field trial conducted by KWS and its partners on three German farms has demonstrated that precision fertilization can reduce nitrogen fertilizer use by 25% while maintaining the same sugar yield. This advancement addresses the growing sustainability demands in agriculture, particularly in light of new emission regulations and the potential introduction of carbon taxes in several European countries.

Agricultural Biomethane: An American Project Aims to Prevent 63,700 Tons of CO₂ Emissions Annually

Neogenyx Fuels has announced the start of construction on its first agricultural renewable natural gas facility in Broken Bow, Nebraska. This innovative project, which uses anaerobic digestion to convert manure into biogas, aims to produce an amount of energy equivalent to over 350 million kWh of renewable gas annually, while preventing the emission of 63,700 tons of CO₂. The by-products of digestion will be reused as bedding for livestock and agricultural fertilizer, promoting a closed nutrient cycle.

Fertilizers: Brussels Prepares Emergency Support Amid Price Surge and Geopolitical Tensions

In response to soaring fertilizer prices, the European Union announces emergency measures to support farmers while maintaining its carbon tax to ensure fair competition for European producers. The situation, exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East, raises concerns about fertilizer availability and the environmental impact of new regulations. The price of nitrogen fertilizers has risen by 32% since last winter, reaching 500 euros per ton.

ePropelled Launches Integrated Propulsion Platform to Boost Agricultural Drones

The launch of an integrated propulsion system by ePropelled aims to enhance the payload capacity and spraying precision of agricultural drones. This rapidly growing market is projected to exceed $4 billion by 2026, driven by labor shortages and rising input costs. Drones are increasingly used to reduce pesticide use and improve input efficiency, particularly in vineyards and horticulture.

Untitled

A study by Orbia Netafim, conducted in Vietnam, demonstrates that drip irrigation in Robusta coffee cultivation not only reduces the carbon footprint by nearly 60%, but also increases yields by over 50% per hectare. Simultaneously, this method decreases water usage by 56% and chemical inputs by 46%, thereby enhancing the sustainability of agricultural practices in the face of current climatic and economic challenges. These findings are supported by the Coffee Protocol, the result of six decades of agronomic research.

SLC, Bom Futuro, Scheffer: Brazilian Industrial Agriculture Shifts to Biosolutions

At BioSummit 2026, SLC Agrícola, Bom Futuro, and Scheffer announced the application of biological inputs on 100% of their cultivated areas. These solutions play a significant role in pest management, particularly in soy and corn, though challenges remain for their adoption in cotton. Technological advancements and the push for sustainable farming practices are driving this trend.

Agri-biotech: Elicit Plant Strengthens Its International Offensive Against Water Stress