CROP PROTECTION
Biostimulant: It is in the genes FROM PAGE 15 ated. C4L stimulated biomass production and length in roots and shoots. Again, as for Arabidopsis genes in treated plants were expressed differently from those that did not receive C4L – and in this case, it was 18% of genes with the difference being statistically significant. Of the 18% of genes affected, about 9% of genes were up-regulated and 9% were down-regulated. Notably, genes responsible for stress and protein metabolism were up-regulated, which could explain the observed increases in growth. Down-regulated genes were mostly genes responsible for protein metabolism (Loubser, 2020). Future agricultural production faces many challenges, and most notably that of producing crops in stressed environments and the need for greater yields as climate change challenge our production systems while the human population is growing. C4L, a commercially available biostimulant, has proven to enhance the yield a quality of crops. Moreover, a recent study on the effects of C4L on Arabidopsis and tomato plants clearly revealed that C4L induces metabolic pathways involved in plant growth and functioning, including stress responses. In future, as our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of resistance and stress alleviation pathways in plants expand, the potential uses of C4L will become even clearer. Undoubtedly, C4L should be a tool in the toolbox for sustainable crop production in a challenging future environment. A new and exciting tool that will protect plants from stresses and optimise production.
References Bartels, D. & Sunkar, R. 2005. Drought and salt tolerance in plants. Criti-
Arabidopsis thaliana Wikipedia
cal reviews in plant sciences, 24(1), pp. 23-58. Challinor, A.J., Watson, J., Lobell, D.B., Howden, S.M., Smith, D.R. and Chhetri, N. 2014. A meta-analysis of crop yield under climate change and adaptation. Nature Climate Change, 4(4), pp. 287-291. De Vasconcelos, A.C.F. & Chaves, L.H.G. 2019. Biostimulants and their role in improving plant growth under abiotic stresses. Biostimulants in plant science, pp.1-14. Elferink, M. & Schierhorn, F. 2016. Global Demand for Food Is Rising. Can We Meet It? Harvard Business Review-7 April 2016. Available online: https://hbr.org/2016/04/global-demand-for-food-is-risingcan-we-meet-it (accessed on 22 June 2021). Loubser, J. 2020. Analysis of the molecular and physiological effects following treatment with BC204 in Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanumly copersicum. Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Biotechnology at the University of Stellenbosch. Loubser, J. & Hills, P. 2020. The application of commercially available Citrus-based extract mitigates moderate NaCl-Stress in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Plants 9: 1010. Zhu, J. 2000. Update on stress signalling genetic analysis of plant salt tolerance using Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol. 124, 941-948.
Natural plant protection launched O
penAg™, UPL Ltd. launched Natural Plant Protection (NPP), a new global business unit housing UPL’s comprehensive portfolio of natural and biologically derived agricultural inputs and technologies. NPP will act as a stand-alone brand, consolidating UPL’s existing biosolutions portfolio, network of research and development laboratories and facilities worldwide, which currently accounts for 7% of UPL’s total revenues. NPP’s global offering will continue to benefit from UPL’s extensive global distribution footprint, drawing on innovation, research and development capabilities, and will be supported by UPL’s proven ability to bring products to market on a global scale. NPP’s extensive portfolio will play a vital role addressing farmers’ pain points, including abiotic stress, soil health, residues and resistance management, in developed and developing agricultural markets alike. Jai Shroff, global CEO, UPL Ltd. Said: “For over two decades, UPL has been investing in the development and scaling of biosolutions. The strength of our current portfolio is
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testament not only to our progressive approach to sustainable agriculture, but also to the dedication of our teams across the world to meeting the innovation and technology needs of farmers, consumers and the environment. Our OpenAg purpose places collaboration at the heart of progress, and NPP will work across UPL’s global footprint to shape and scale the biological technologies of the future.” Fabio Torretta, COO, NPP, UPL, said: “NPP can change the world. It has the right capabilities, the right mindset and the right technical skills and resources to drive a new era of positive, progressive change in agriculture. The biosolutions market is set for double-digit growth to US$10bn by 2025, compared to traditional agrochemicals, which are projected to experience single digit growth. NPP is well positioned to shape a more sustainable food future.” One of NPP’s greatest strengths will be the company’s ability to cross-pollinate innovation across regions, understanding and learning from the needs of one market to increase the speed and depth of penetration into another market.
VEGETABLES & FRUIT | JULY • AUGUST 2021
