Key Takeaways
- 2024 field trials in India confirm Ascribe Bio’s Phytalix® reduces Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) severity by 83%, outperforming current treatments by over 20%.
- Trials showed an average 13% yield increase across all sites, with up to 30% higher yields in areas with high BLB pressure.
- Phytalix® is a non-toxic alternative to synthetic fungicides and antibiotics, supporting sustainable rice farming.
- Rice is a staple food for over half the world’s population, and BLB can cause up to 70% crop loss in severe cases.
- Ascribe is seeking regulatory approval in Brazil, the U.S., and key Asian rice-producing countries to expand Phytalix’s availability.
Field Trials Confirm Phytalix’s Efficacy in Rice Protection
Ascribe, a company focused on natural crop protection solutions, has announced successful results from 2024 field trials in India for Phytalix®, its flagship biological disease control solution. The trials confirmed Phytalix’s ability to protect rice crops from Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) while improving yields.
“These Phytalix field trials show that sometimes the biological solution can be the farmer’s first choice for performance,” said Jay Farmer, CEO and Co-founder of Ascribe.
The multi-site trials, conducted by contract research organization AgReveal, tested Phytalix’s performance across 17 rice-growing locations in India.
Key Findings from Ascribe Bio’s Trials:
- 83% reduction in BLB severity, surpassing existing treatments by over 20%.
- Up to 30% yield increase in fields with high BLB pressure.
- 13% average yield increase across all trial sites, including those affected by other rice diseases such as Sheath Blight and Rice Blast.
- 100% compatibility with both smallholder and large-scale farming practices.
“Asian strains of BLB are aggressive and pose a serious threat to rice crops,” said Srinivas Veeranki, Managing Director of AgReveal. “The success of our field trials in India demonstrates Phytalix is a major step forward for farmers and global food security.”
Addressing a Critical Threat to Rice Production
Rice is a staple food for over half of the world’s population, with 90% of global rice production occurring in Asia. India, the second-largest rice producer, accounts for 26% of the world’s total supply.
Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae, is a widespread disease that can reduce rice yields by up to 70% in severe cases, making it a significant food security challenge.
Phytalix, applied as a low-rate foliar spray, strengthens a rice plant’s natural immune response to help prevent infection. Unlike current BLB control methods, Phytalix:
- Does not rely on synthetic chemicals, avoiding the negative environmental impact of copper-based fungicides.
- Does not contribute to antibiotic resistance, unlike streptomycin and tetracycline-based treatments.
- Can be deployed immediately, whereas breeding BLB-resistant rice varieties takes years to develop.
“BLB is just one of many challenges farmers face,” said Farmer. “We’re trying to equip farmers all over the world with scientifically validated, natural crop protection that improves both productivity and sustainability.”
Scaling Up for Global Impact
With strong field trial results in India, Ascribe is initiating regulatory approval processes in key rice-producing countries in Asia. The company is already in the approval process for Phytalix biofungicide in Brazil and the U.S. and is now looking to expand access to farmers most affected by BLB.
