3 companies join forces to advance stress-resistant soybean developmment

Tropical Melhoramento e Genetica, Ltda. (TMG), Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. and Bioceres, S.A. said Tuesday that they have entered into a partnership to develop soybean plant varieties that are based on the HB4 stress tolerance trait.
   
The trait was developed by Verdeca, LLC, a joint venture between Arcadia and Bioceres, and was granted approval by Argentine regulators.
   
“This collaboration leverages Verdeca’s trait technology and regulatory expertise with TMG’s world-class soybean germplasm, breeding capabilities and significant market share in the South American soybean seed market,” Arcadia Biosciences President and CEO  Eric Rey said. “Our combined efforts aim to create significant value for soybean growers and end-markets by increasing the productivity and sustainability of the world’s most important protein crop.”

The trait has undergone several tests in multiple growing seasons and was found to be effective in improving yield up to approximately 14 percent in conditions that tend to cause trouble for soybean plants, specifically droughts.
   
"The HB4 gene holds great promise for bringing better yield stability to agriculture in areas that show water stress problems," TMG CEO Francisco Soaraes said. "It's an alternative beyond the solutions offered on the market today."

With the global population expected to increase, the demand for soybeans is also expected to increase.