An innovative RNA-based spray targeting potato blight has been included in the IVA (Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences) list of high-potential projects for sustainable agriculture. This development could revolutionize crop protection by reducing economic losses from this disease, estimated at over five billion euros annually in Europe, while adhering to new environmental regulations. Greenhouse trials show a reduction in infections by up to 70%, with no negative impact on plant growth, paving the way for field trials and upcoming commercialization.
Source: Agropages, published under the title "RNA spray against potato late blight recognized by IVA" - 8 June 2026
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Switch Bioworks, a biotechnology company, has initiated field trials for its innovative microbial fertilizer, approved by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). This product utilizes microbes to extract nitrogen from the air, thereby replacing traditional chemical fertilizers. The trials, focused on corn, aim to optimize microbial performance under real agricultural conditions.
Source: Agropages, published under the title "Switch Bioworks advances novel microbial fertilizer into fir..." - 4 June 2026
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A recent study highlights the uncertainties of climate and hydrological models in estimating crop water needs. The results show significant divergences between models, particularly regarding blue water use dependent on irrigation, and emphasize the need to adopt multi-model approaches for more effective and resilient water management in the face of climate change challenges.
Source: Epfl, published under the title "Can we trust future estimates of crop water use and sustaina..." - 3 June 2026
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Developed by UNDO in collaboration with several scientific partners, the SAT-C method reliably extracts interstitial water from soils, even during drought periods. This innovation aims to enhance the monitoring of accelerated rock weathering, a carbon sequestration technique whose measurement remains a major challenge. Tested in Canada, it also relies on a new sampling tool designed with McLaren Racing, reducing field intervention time by 70%.
SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "UNDO Publishes SAT-C Research to Unlock Year-Round Enhanced ..." - 2 June 2026
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The Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) invests $7.5 million in the AgNUE platform, a collaborative research network aimed at optimizing nitrogen fertilizer application, thereby reducing input costs and environmental impacts. Supported by $27.2 million from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, this five-year initiative focuses on field trials and the development of models to provide farm-specific data.
Source: Agropages, published under the title "FFAR & Novo Nordisk Foundation establish $34.7 million agric..." - 2 June 2026
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A consortium led by 3E, a Belgian company specializing in renewable energy, has launched an agrivoltaic project in southern Sinai aimed at improving food security and climate adaptation in arid regions. This innovative project, which combines renewable energy and agriculture, uses solar panels to reduce thermal stress on crops while generating electricity.
SEPEHR ACHARD, Source: Igronews, published under the title "3E and Partners Launch Agrivoltaic Pilot to Regenerate Deser..." - 1 June 2026
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Brazil has approved a $1.8 billion incentive plan to bolster its domestic fertilizer production, aiming to reduce its heavy reliance on imports, which account for 85 to 90% of total demand. The plan includes federal tax credits of 20% for companies investing in fertilizer production and mandates the application of environmental criteria.
Source: Agropages, published under the title "Brazil approves USD 1.8 billion fertilizer plan to reduce de..." - 1 June 2026
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After five years of development, BTU and BINFIELD are launching an innovative mineral NPK fertilizer that incorporates a consortium of beneficial microorganisms. This revolutionary technology integrates biological agents directly into the granules, enhancing soil nutrient efficiency. The use of bacterial spores ensures the viability of microorganisms under agricultural conditions.
Source: Agropages, published under the title "From the lab to industrial scale: the technology of coating ..." - 1 June 2026
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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.
Source: Agropages, published under the title "Perplant raises €1 million to equip tractors with AI ″eyes″ ..." - 26 May 2026
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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%.
Source: Agropages, published under the title "Myco-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles as a sustainable..." - 26 May 2026
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