BioConsortia technology shows crop yield gains in 2014 tests

BioConsortia’s Advanced Microbial Selection (AMS) process has increased yields for both corn and wheat in tests over the past year, the company announced last month.

The agricultural biotechnology company, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, tested its technology in various Midwestern sites in 2014. Each of its U.S.-generated leads were tested as seed treatments and combined with typical chemistries on two corn seed hybrids. BioConsortia’s treatments outperformed both chemical and biological methods. A single spring wheat trial with two leads yielded double-digit gains.

BioConsortia uses directed selection to discover teams of microbes that influence the expression of beneficial traits in crops. This novel and patent-pending process works by controlling the seed genetics and the environment, while changing the microbial community in order to shift trait performance in the crop toward improved targeted phenotypes.

“It was important to get consortia in the ground to show potential partners our ability to transfer this novel approach to commercially relevant field performance,” Dr. Susan Turner, BioConsortia's senior vice president of research and development, said. “The field trials we completed generated consistent, positive yield enhancements on top of leading chemistries in high yielding conditions that are widely accepted as challenging to show such benefit. We have put together an experienced team of scientists who are setting the stage for further improvements and success in our expanded program this year.”