New Biopesticide Is A Breakthrough For Global Food Security
Forbes
2025.03.04
Rice, the world’s most consumed staple, provides 20% of global daily calories, and feeds billions. Yet, its production is under increasing pressure from pests and diseases, with Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) ranking among the most devastating. Farmers have few solutions that are truly effective, affordable, and sustainable. But Ascribe Bio, a New York-based agtech firm, says it has developed Phytalix— a biopesticide that not only combats BLB and other pathogens but also boosts rice yields by up to two tons per hectare— according to the results of recent field trials.
Jay Farmer, CEO and Co-founder of Ascribe Bio, refers to Phytalix as “a transformative development for farmers big and small.” The solution is derived from natural molecules sourced from the soil microbiome, making it a sustainable alternative for the world’s 144 million rice farmers. By strengthening the plant’s immune system, Phytalix helps rice crops fend off infection, improving both yield and sustainability while ensuring the safety of farmers, consumers, beneficial soil organisms and the environment.
Mainstream BLB management strategies have come with major drawbacks. Chemical pesticides like copper salts provide limited protection while degrading soil health and posing environmental risks. Antibiotics such as streptomycin and tetracycline, commonly used in rice fields, contribute to antibiotic resistance— prompting warnings from the World Health Organization that they are not a viable long-term solution. Meanwhile, breeding disease-resistant rice varieties holds promise, but the process takes years, leaving farmers with no immediate alternatives.
Rice, the world’s most consumed staple, provides 20% of global daily calories, and feeds billions. Yet, its production is under increasing pressure from pests and diseases, with Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) ranking among the most devastating. Farmers have few solutions that are truly effective, affordable, and sustainable. But Ascribe Bio, a New York-based agtech firm, says it has developed Phytalix— a biopesticide that not only combats BLB and other pathogens but also boosts rice yields by up to two tons per hectare— according to the results of recent field trials.
Jay Farmer, CEO and Co-founder of Ascribe Bio, refers to Phytalix as “a transformative development for farmers big and small.” The solution is derived from natural molecules sourced from the soil microbiome, making it a sustainable alternative for the world’s 144 million rice farmers. By strengthening the plant’s immune system, Phytalix helps rice crops fend off infection, improving both yield and sustainability while ensuring the safety of farmers, consumers, beneficial soil organisms and the environment.
Mainstream BLB management strategies have come with major drawbacks. Chemical pesticides like copper salts provide limited protection while degrading soil health and posing environmental risks. Antibiotics such as streptomycin and tetracycline, commonly used in rice fields, contribute to antibiotic resistance— prompting warnings from the World Health Organization that they are not a viable long-term solution. Meanwhile, breeding disease-resistant rice varieties holds promise, but the process takes years, leaving farmers with no immediate alternatives.
Read more here.