A pioneering collaboration between agri-biotech innovator Phytoform and global agriculture technology leader Corteva is set to explore the potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing natural disease resistance in corn, the most widely grown crop in the U.S. This partnership aims to revolutionize crop improvement by combining Corteva’s global leadership in agricultural innovation with Phytoform’s cutting-edge plant breeding technology and AI-driven approach.
The collaboration will harness Phytoform’s CRE.AI.TIVE AI technology to apply gene editing techniques that improve corn’s resilience to two of the most damaging diseases affecting U.S. growers. This initiative is a significant step towards making global food production more sustainable and secure for one of the world’s most important crops.
Dr. Will Pelton, Chief Executive of Phytoform, expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, stating, “By accelerating what nature can achieve through our shared technologies, we’re taking steps to make global food production more sustainable and secure for one of the world’s most important crops.” The project will focus on optimizing the gene expression of two native genes crucial for disease resistance in corn. Phytoform will utilize CRE.AI.TIVE to sift through millions of potential variations in DNA control regions, selecting those that demonstrate activity in plant cells.
This collaboration will be integrated into Genlytix, Corteva’s comprehensive ecosystem that combines advanced gene editing capabilities, data analytics, and strategic partnerships. Tom Greene, Senior Director at Corteva and Global Leader of Corteva Catalyst, highlighted the potential of this partnership: “We’re excited to leverage the contributions of Phytoform’s CRE.AI.TIVE AI platform with our industry-leading Genlytix ecosystem to continue to grow Corteva’s position as a leader in developing critical solutions for U.S. farmers.”
The implications of this collaboration are profound. By narrowing the gap between trait discovery and commercial deployment, Phytoform offers a viable alternative to traditional crop improvement methods. This approach enables plant breeders to target resilience traits with greater speed and accuracy, paving the way for a more climate-resilient food system.
Dr. Nicolas Kral, Phytoform Chief Technology Officer and co-founder, emphasized the broader impact of this work: “This work shows how AI and biology can come together to build a more climate-resilient food system. We’re not just fixing plants, we’re future-proofing agriculture.”
This partnership underscores the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, promising to enhance crop resilience and secure food production in the face of climate change and disease challenges. As the collaboration unfolds, it will be closely watched by the agricultural community for its potential to set new standards in crop improvement and sustainable farming practices.