BioLumic treats seeds with light to activate genetic expression for new crop traits
BioLumic uses UV light treatments to address inbreeding depression in seed production. (BioLumic)
For more information, see the Fourth Quarter issue of Seed Today.
BioLumic, the world’s only company treating seeds with light to activate genetic expression for new crop traits, has achieved a breakthrough in enhancing inbred corn lines. These genetically ‘pure’ parent seeds are crucial for producing the world’s high-performing hybrid seeds favored by most farmers.
After achieving performance milestones in 2023 field trials, BioLumic is partnering with Beck’s Hybrids, Peterson Corn Genetics, Peterson Farms Seed, Breeder Direct, and other seed companies to use BioLumic’s Genetic Expression Trait™ light-activated technology on a wide range of inbred and hybrid corn lines aiming to enhance their productivity.
The inbred trials specifically target improved germination, emergence, seedling vigor, yield, and hybrid seed quality – all issues often associated when working with inbred seed corn breeding and production.
Activating genetic expression. BioLumic harnesses ultraviolet (UV) light signaling, a scientifically-proven process, to rapidly activate natural genetic expression in plants for improved yield, quality, and plant defense traits without requiring genetic modification or chemical additives.
BioLumic’s technology is being commercialized for inbred and hybrid corn cultivars, with plans underway for light-treated seeds to be available to farmers for the 2025 planting season.
“By activating Genetic Expression Traits in corn parent lines and showing the ability to lock in those traits to hybrid corn progeny without any ensuing treatments, our UV light technology is rewriting the playbook for seed production,” says BioLumic CEO Steve Sibulkin. “It eliminates years of trait identification and breeding work for driving yield, quality and plant health without the multi-year regulatory process associated with genetic modification.”
United States field corn production is dominated by vigorous, high-yielding hybrid cultivars bred from crossing genetically pure inbred seed lines to target specific traits.
However, problems experienced with inbreeding depression – including reduced germination, poor seedling emergence and vigor, increased susceptibility to environmental stressors, and nutrient deficiency – often result in reduced yields and poor hybrid seed quality during the seed production process.
“Through our partnership with BioLumic, we are integrating this unique technology into our hybrid and inbred corn lines, evaluating BioLumic’s trait performance on some of our most promising germplasm this season,” says Marc Neuman, director of sales and product development at Breeder Direct. “Our mission is to deliver elite genetics that give our seed company clients improved margin opportunity. BioLumic’s ability to improve the yield potential of germplasm that is already outstanding creates a big opportunity for us and independent seed companies.”
BioLumic is set to commercialize Genetic Expression Traits for both inbred and hybrid corn in partnership with Gro Alliance in First Quarter 2025. The company is actively collaborating with genetics providers to develop new traits for their cultivars.