Source Agriculture Corp., a company focused on agrotech investments, has announced a strategic investment in Ascribe Bioscience, a company dedicated to developing sustainable crop protection solutions. The investment aims to support Ascribe’s mission to advance natural products derived from the soil microbiome, designed to help farmers adopt more reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible farming practices.
Phytalix: A Natural Solution for Crop Protection
Ascribe Bioscience’s lead product, Phytalix, serves as a plant “vaccine” by boosting the plant’s natural defense mechanisms against pathogens. The product is made from naturally occurring molecules produced by soil organisms. Phytalix has shown proven effectiveness in controlling a wide range of pathogens across several crops, including corn, wheat, soy, rice, potatoes, and tomatoes.
The product is nontoxic, biodegradable, and non-GMO, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical pesticides and costly biological treatments. Phytalix works by triggering the plant’s immune system, allowing crops to react more quickly to stressors, such as pathogens. It can be applied either as a seed treatment or as a foliar spray. Importantly, Phytalix requires only small amounts of active ingredient per acre, making it a cost-effective solution while improving the sustainability of agricultural practices.
In both lab and field trials, Phytalix has demonstrated its ability to control a broad spectrum of pathogens in multiple crops, such as corn, wheat, soy, rice, potatoes, and tomatoes. The product primes the plant’s defense pathways, enabling faster responses to pathogens and helping to prevent infection.
- Safe: Phytalix is non-toxic, biodegradable, and non-GMO.
- Potent: Effective at minimal concentrations, requiring only milligrams of active ingredient per acre.
- Flexible: Can be applied either as a seed treatment or foliar spray.
Advanced Platform for Sustainable Agriculture
Ascribe’s proprietary platform uses advanced metabolomics to explore the potential of the soil microbiome, identifying small molecules that can improve plant health and productivity. This innovative approach has led to the development of biobased products that are durable, shelf-stable, and more reliable under various field conditions compared to traditional live microbes or complex mixtures.
Source Agriculture’s Support for Sustainable Technologies
Aman Gill, President and CEO of Source Agriculture Corp., expressed confidence in Ascribe Bioscience’s approach.
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“We believe that Ascribe Bioscience’s approach represents the future of sustainable crop protection. Their innovative platform and commitment to natural, effective solutions align perfectly with Source Agriculture’s mission to support technologies that not only improve farming productivity but also contribute to environmental sustainability. Our investment in Ascribe is a testament to our confidence in their ability to deliver impactful, science-driven solutions for farmers around the world.”
Continued Focus on High-Tech, Sustainable Agriculture Solutions
With this strategic investment, Source Agriculture Corp. continues to strengthen its portfolio of companies focused on advancing high-tech solutions for sustainable agriculture. Ascribe Bioscience’s work is positioned to influence how the global agricultural industry addresses crop protection and environmental stewardship, providing a vital alternative to toxic chemicals and expensive biological products.