Ascribe Bio’s Phytalix® Breakthrough in Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) Control: A Game-Changer for Rice Farmers
Introduction: A Breakthrough in Crop Protection
Ascribe Bio, an innovator in the field of natural crop protection, has announced the success of its flagship product, Phytalix®, in 2024 field trials conducted in India. The trials confirm Phytalix® as a highly effective, non-toxic solution for controlling Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB), one of the most devastating diseases affecting rice crops. This new discovery offers an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic fungicides and antibiotics used in the agricultural sector.
Rice is a staple food for over half of the world’s population, and 90% of rice is grown in Asia. With global food security at stake, the efficacy of Phytalix® in mitigating BLB is seen as a major breakthrough, offering farmers a safer, more efficient means to protect their crops while also increasing yields. The product has shown an increase in yields by up to 2 tons per hectare, providing a sustainable solution for both smallholder farmers and large-scale producers alike.
Field Trials: Demonstrating Industry-Leading Efficacy
The 2024 field trials took place across major rice-growing regions in India and were conducted by the contract research organization AgReveal. The trials showed Phytalix®’s exceptional performance in reducing the severity of BLB and enhancing rice production.
Key Findings from the Field Trials Include:
- 83% reduction in BLB severity: Phytalix® outperformed existing treatments by over 20%, showcasing its powerful ability to combat the disease.
- Up to 30% yield increase: In trial sites with high BLB pressure, the application of Phytalix® resulted in a significant yield boost, making it a highly effective treatment in areas most affected by the disease.
- 13% average yield increase: Across all trial sites, including those impacted by other rice diseases such as Sheath Blight or Rice Blast, Phytalix® showed an average yield improvement.
- 100% compatibility with current farming practices: Phytalix® proved compatible with both smallholder farmers’ practices and large-scale production methods, ensuring easy integration into existing workflows.
The trials were conducted across 17 sites in India, providing robust data that supports Phytalix®’s viability and efficiency.
A Critical Solution for Rice Farmers Facing BLB
Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB), caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae, is a major threat to rice crops globally. This disease can lead to crop losses of up to 70% in severe cases, making it a significant concern for food security, particularly in rice-growing regions like India, where the crop is a primary food source.
In India, where 26% of the world’s rice is produced, BLB has a significant impact on both yield and the livelihoods of farmers. Phytalix® offers a sustainable solution by strengthening the plant’s immune system, helping it fend off infections from BLB. The product is applied as a foliar spray at a low application rate, offering a natural and scalable solution to protect rice crops.
Why Phytalix® is a Game-Changer
Phytalix® offers a safer and more efficient alternative to the conventional methods of combating BLB, which include:
- Chemical pesticides: While some chemicals, such as copper salts, may show activity against BLB, they are toxic to the environment and degrade soil health over time.
- Antibiotics: Some farmers turn to antibiotics like streptomycin and tetracycline to combat BLB. However, the use of human medicines in agriculture promotes antibiotic resistance, and the World Health Organization (WHO) advises against their long-term use in field crops.
- Rice breeding programs: While promising, breeding new rice varieties resistant to BLB can take years, making it a slower and more expensive process.
Phytalix®, on the other hand, is a biological solution that offers immediate benefits without the harmful side effects of chemical treatments. The product’s natural composition ensures that it is safe for farmers, consumers, and the environment.
Jay Farmer, CEO and co-founder of Ascribe, emphasized the importance of offering an effective biological solution to rice farmers worldwide: “BLB is just one of many challenges farmers face. We’re trying to equip farmers all over the world with scientifically validated, natural crop protection that improves both productivity and sustainability. These Phytalix field trials show that sometimes the biological solution can be the farmer’s first choice for performance.”
Scaling Up for Global Impact
With the success of the field trials in India, Ascribe Bio is moving forward with plans to scale the production and distribution of Phytalix® to global markets. The company is currently in the process of seeking regulatory approval for the biofungicide in Brazil and the United States. With growing interest from rice-producing countries around the world, Ascribe plans to initiate the necessary regulatory approval processes in key Asian rice-producing nations.
These efforts aim to make Phytalix® available to the farmers who need it most in the ongoing fight against BLB, ultimately improving food security and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on rice as a primary food source.
The Path Ahead: A Sustainable Future for Agriculture
Ascribe Bio’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions to global agricultural challenges is evident in the development and success of Phytalix®. By offering an effective, environmentally friendly, and scalable product, Phytalix® has the potential to revolutionize how farmers combat diseases like BLB. The product’s natural composition and high efficacy make it an essential tool for promoting sustainable farming practices while increasing productivity and resilience to future challenges.
Looking ahead, Ascribe Bio plans to continue expanding its portfolio of natural crop protection products that support global food security and contribute to the overall health of the environment. The breakthrough achieved with Phytalix® serves as a critical step toward the company’s mission to reshape the future of agricultural practices by providing farmers with tools that protect both their crops and the environment.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Rice Farmers and Global Food Security
The results from the 2024 field trials in India highlight the incredible potential of Phytalix® in combating Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) and improving rice production. With its superior efficacy, safety, and sustainability, Phytalix® represents a major step forward for agriculture and global food security. As the product moves through the regulatory approval process in key markets, rice farmers around the world can look forward to a future with better crop protection, improved yields, and more resilient farming practices.
As Ascribe Bio continues to scale its efforts and expand its reach, the company is poised to have a transformative impact on global agriculture, empowering farmers to grow healthier, more sustainable crops while safeguarding the planet’s resources for future generations.
To learn more about Phytalix and Ascribe’s efforts to help farmers grow more resilient plants through natural crop protection, visit https://ascribebio.com/.
About Ascribe Bio
Ascribe is an Ithaca, NY-based agricultural technology company developing natural crop protection solutions. Founded in 2017 based on research from the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, Ascribe’s flagship biofungicide, Phytalix®, harnesses small molecules from the soil microbiome to create effective, environmentally friendly disease control solutions that help farmers grow more resilient crops and harvest higher yields.
