Mosaic and AgBiome Collaborate on Novel Soil Microbes
US potash and phosphates producer Mosaic has agreed to collaborate with compatriot company AgBiome to discover, develop and launch novel biological approaches to enhancing soil fertility. The partnerships will leverage AgBiome’s proprietary Genesis platform.
Mosaic said the platform comprises the “world’s largest, most diverse, fully-sequenced collection of microbes coupled with innovative product discovery technology.” The minerals group will provide its expertise in soil health and product development along with its global distribution and sales network. Together the companies expect to find solutions that can be added to Mosaic's soil health portfolio.
“Our collaboration with AgBiome is part of a larger, multi-partner effort at Mosaic to expand the company's soil health offerings,” said Kim Nicholson, Mosaic’s vice president, ag technology and innovation. “Now more than ever, growers are interested in engaging with companies that recognize the need for soil conservation strategies. Our work with AgBiome is expected to expand our innovative products in that space.”
Based in Durham, North Carolina, in the heart of the in the state’s Research Triangle Park. AgBiome discovers and develops biological and trait products for crop protection. Its strategic investors include Bayer, Novozymes and Syngenta.
Earlier this month, Mosaic formed another partnership on soil health with Sound Agriculture. The companies are working together to bring a nutrient efficiency product to market that will boost yields among major row crops and improve soil health.
The companies will collaborate on the development and distribution of a proprietary mix of Sound Agriculture's bio-inspired chemistry and key micronutrients. They said early data indicates the combination has potential to be a best-in-class product within the broader nutrient efficiency space. The co-developed product is expected to launch in the US by 2023, before rolling out to additional markets throughout the Americas, with a focus on Brazil, Argentina and Canada.
Sound Agriculture will manufacture the active ingredient and product formulation, while Mosaic will oversee field development, regulatory, sales and marketing efforts. Initially, the product will be available for use on corn and soybeans, with the potential to expand to additional row crops such as wheat, cotton, rice, sugarcane, coffee, and others.
“Sound's innovative technology will complement our product portfolio, providing growers with an in-season solution to enhance fertilizer efficiency and optimize production,” Nicholson said, while Sound Agriculture’s CEO Adam Litle said, “partnering with Mosaic will help us quickly scale our technology by leveraging their significant technical expertise and market access."
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
