BioConsortia, Inc., a leading agricultural technology company specializing in advanced microbial solutions, has announced a groundbreaking commercial agreement with New Zealand-based Hodder and Taylors Ltd (H&T). This partnership introduces BioConsortia’s innovative nitrogen-fixing microbial seed treatment, FixiN 33, to New Zealand farmers. Set to roll out during the 2024/2025 planting season, the product will be available for crops such as corn, brassicas, and cereals. FixiN 33 promises to optimize nitrogen fertilizer use, improve crop productivity, and significantly reduce nitrogen runoff, thereby benefiting both farmers and the environment.
Field Trials Validate Effectiveness
The partnership between BioConsortia and H&T builds on years of rigorous field trials. Since 2023, the companies have conducted trials across New Zealand, with results mirroring the success seen in earlier trials performed in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Europe since 2021. These studies demonstrated that FixiN 33 can reliably replace a significant portion of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer while maintaining or even improving crop yields.
Paul Oliver, Managing Director of H&T, emphasized the importance of this innovation for New Zealand’s agriculture sector. “This technology represents a tremendous opportunity to reduce nitrogen fertilizer usage in New Zealand, delivering both economic and environmental benefits while maintaining crop yields,” Oliver said.
Marcus Meadows-Smith, CEO of BioConsortia, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the unique functionality of the microbes used in FixiN 33. “Our proprietary microbes are highly effective at colonizing crop roots, ensuring a steady supply of nitrogen throughout the growing season. They remain active in the root zone, converting atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms long after synthetic fertilizers have dissipated,” he explained.
Exceptional Shelf Stability and Longevity
A key differentiator of FixiN 33 is its remarkable shelf stability and on-seed longevity. Unlike traditional microbial treatments, which often degrade within months, FixiN 33 boasts a shelf life exceeding two years and maintains on-seed stability for an additional two years. This extended viability ensures that farmers can rely on the product for consistent performance over multiple planting seasons.
Dr. Hong Zhu, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at BioConsortia, attributed this breakthrough to the use of Gram-positive microbes. “Gram-positive microbes are inherently stable and excellent colonizers of plant roots. Through our proprietary R&D platform, we have unlocked their nitrogen-fixing potential, creating microbes that are ideally suited for seed treatment products,” Dr. Zhu stated.
Advanced Microbial Discovery Platform
At the core of this innovation is BioConsortia’s advanced microbial discovery engine. The platform is designed to identify high-performing microbes from an extensive library of candidates. For New Zealand, where regulatory restrictions limit the use of gene-edited organisms, BioConsortia leveraged wildtype microbes with natural nitrogen-fixing capabilities. These microbes possess intrinsic genetic traits that enable them to fix atmospheric nitrogen and support reliable yield performance without genetic modification.
“The flexibility of our platform allows us to tailor solutions to meet diverse regulatory and agricultural needs,” said Meadows-Smith. “For New Zealand, we selected microbes that naturally fix nitrogen, ensuring compliance while delivering robust results.”
Revolutionizing Agricultural Sustainability
The collaboration between BioConsortia and H&T signifies a major advancement in sustainable agriculture. With FixiN 33, New Zealand farmers gain access to a cutting-edge tool that reduces dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. This not only lowers costs but also addresses critical environmental challenges, such as nitrogen runoff into waterways and greenhouse gas emissions.
Meadows-Smith underscored the broader implications of this innovation. “Our seed-applied products are a game-changer for growers. They simplify nitrogen management, improve yields, and reduce environmental impact—all without increasing reliance on synthetic fertilizers,” he said.
Aligning with New Zealand’s Environmental Goals
New Zealand has long been recognized for its commitment to sustainable farming practices. The introduction of FixiN 33 aligns seamlessly with the country’s environmental objectives, offering farmers an effective way to balance productivity with ecological responsibility. By reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, the technology helps to mitigate the environmental footprint of agriculture while supporting the economic viability of farming operations.
Looking Ahead
As BioConsortia and H&T prepare for the commercial launch of FixiN 33, the potential impact of this innovation is clear. Farmers in New Zealand will soon have access to a proven solution that enhances crop productivity, reduces costs, and protects the environment.
This partnership represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of agricultural technology, setting a new standard for what microbial seed treatments can achieve. With a focus on sustainability and performance, FixiN 33 is poised to make a lasting difference for New Zealand’s farmers and the planet.
