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

Picketa Systems Raises $2.1 Million to Accelerate Real-Time Crop Nutritional Analysis Technology

Canadian company Picketa Systems has recently closed a $2.1 million funding round to expand its LENS platform, which provides real-time data on crop nutrients. With rising fertilizer costs, this technology could help farmers reduce their fertilizer expenses by 20%. LENS, which now covers potatoes, corn, canola, soybeans, and wheat, is already used by over 45 agricultural retailers.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "Picketa Systems Raises $2.1M to Scale LENS Crop Nutrient Pla..." - 15 June 2026

A French Start-up Focuses on Bio-Inputs to Reduce Phosphate Fertilizer Use

The Reims-based start-up BioFerm’Tech is entering the bio-inputs market by developing bio-stimulant microbes that enhance phosphorus assimilation in plants, providing an alternative to cadmium-laden phosphate fertilizers. One strain has already been successfully tested in a specific terroir. The goal is commercialization by 2028.

Source: Usine Nouvelle, published under the title "Fini les engrais phosphatés gorgés de cadmium : cette start-..." - 15 June 2026

A Partnership to Automate and Accelerate Smart Irrigation in Europe

Rivulis EU, a Singapore-based company, has announced a strategic partnership with Spherag, a Spanish firm specializing in irrigation automation. This partnership aims to integrate innovative digital solutions into Rivulis' offerings, thereby enhancing its distribution network and smart irrigation in Europe. The flagship device, Atlas X, enables optimized irrigation management through bidirectional communication with the cloud, facilitating remote monitoring and control.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "Rivulis Europe and Spherag form a strategic partnership agre..." - 15 June 2026

A New Dutch Center Merges Agronomic Trials and Data to Design Tomorrow's Varieties

The newly inaugurated Rijk Zwaan Open Field Testing Center in the Netherlands is designed to enhance practical research on field crops. This state-of-the-art facility allows for the evaluation of 20 field crops, including lettuce, brassicas, spinach, and chicories, featuring amenities such as a digital phenotyping lab for precise variety assessment.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "Rijk Zwaan opens new trial centre for open-field crops in th..." - 15 June 2026

EU Fails to Reach Compromise on Pesticide Regulation Reform

Negotiations for a compromise on new pesticide rules in the EU, proposed by Cyprus, have stalled. This text aimed to facilitate the use of organic pesticides while granting unlimited approvals for certain synthetic substances. Disagreements among member states, particularly regarding the restriction of imports of products containing banned pesticide residues, hindered the agreement.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "EU countries fail to agree on new pesticide rules" - 15 June 2026

Agricultural Financing: A New Leasing Model to Democratize Strip-Till

RegenLend, a joint initiative by Compeer Financial and PepsiCo, aims to lower financial barriers to adopting strip-till, a technique that lies between traditional tillage and direct seeding, allowing farmers to only work the soil strip where the crop will be planted. By covering two rental payments, PepsiCo supports farmers in their transition to conservation practices on at least 600 acres.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "Compeer Financial and PepsiCo Launch RegenLend to Lower the ..." - 12 June 2026

Carbon Credits: Solis Capital Targets Regenerative Agriculture and Land Restoration in Central Asia

Investment firm Solis Capital has launched a financing vehicle for voluntary carbon projects in Central Asia, aimed at supporting afforestation and land management initiatives. This innovative financing model covers the initial costs of projects before carbon credits are sold, focusing on high-integrity and transparent projects. Kazakhstan is identified as a key market, with significant potential for nature-based programs and agricultural transition needs.

SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "Solis Capital Launches Carbon Stream Financing Vehicle for H..." - 12 June 2026

Towards More Resilient Crops Through Hormonal Seed Treatments

In the face of the need for sustainable pest management solutions, seed priming with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) proves promising. Previous research has shown that this technique enhances pest resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana without compromising growth. This study explores whether these benefits extend to Brassica rapa, highlighting specific molecular mechanisms and the importance of tailoring priming strategies according to crop species and pest types.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "Methyl jasmonate seed priming enhances pest resistance in Ar..." - 12 June 2026

In the Organic Market, Three Companies Are Transforming Agriculture

Three pioneering companies, NewLeaf Symbiotics, CXC-AG, and GreenLight Biosciences, have overcome manufacturing challenges to make organic products more accessible and effective. Their innovations, grounded in a deep understanding of biology, promise to transform the agricultural industry by providing stable and cost-effective solutions.

Source: Agropages, published under the title "How manufacturing breakthroughs by three companies changed t..." - 12 June 2026

Sustainable Fertilization: Tailored Recommendations Through AI

At the Soil Health Conference, experts emphasized the importance of precise fertilization to combat soil degradation in Quebec. Over-fertilization, particularly with nitrogen, harms biodiversity and soil health. Current fertilization methods, often outdated, must be replaced with dynamic models based on artificial intelligence, allowing for tailored inputs to meet the specific needs of each soil.

Source: Agri-réseau, published under the title "Fertilisation durable : la nécessité de recommandations sur ..." - 12 June 2026