Key Takeaways:
- USDA APHIS ruling allows trials on Insignum AgTech’s genetically modified corn plants.
- These plants, like fungal infections, use natural pigments to signal specific plant stresses.
- Insignum AgTech, led by Purdue University alum Kyle Mohler, aims to enhance sustainable crop production.
- The company plans to develop additional plant traits using different natural pigments.
- Insignum AgTech’s collaboration with Beck’s and investment from Purdue Ag-Celerator highlight its potential impact on agriculture.
USDA Ruling: A Gateway to Innovation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) has authorized farmers and growers to conduct trials on corn plants developed by Insignum AgTech, as reported by Purdue University. This decision follows the agency’s review, which determined that these genetically engineered plants do not pose an increased plant pest risk.
Insignum AgTech’s Vision
Founded in 2019 by Kyle Mohler, a biochemistry graduate from Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, the company is pioneering the development of plant genetic traits. These traits enable plants to ‘talk’ using naturally occurring pigments to signal the onset of specific plant stresses, such as fungal infections. For instance, a plant might turn purple to indicate the early stages of a fungal attack.
Impact of USDA APHIS Decision
The USDA APHIS’s decision marks a milestone for Insignum AgTech and its clientele. It allows unrestricted growth and testing of these modified plants across the United States. According to CEO Kyle Mohler, this development enhances the company’s capacity to assist farmers in treating crop problems sustainably and precisely, ultimately increasing crop production.
Insignum AgTech’s Field Day and Future Plans
During its summer 2023 field day, Mohler discussed the company’s innovative corn plants with farmers. These plants signal specific plant stresses using natural pigments. Looking ahead, Insignum AgTech plans to develop additional plant traits that utilize other pigments, like red or blue, to indicate different yield-limiting factors, such as insect pests or fertility loss.
Collaborations and Investments
In April 2023, Insignum AgTech partnered with Beck to test its corn traits in Beck’s elite varieties. In January 2022, the company received a $100,000 investment from the Purdue Ag-Celerator, an agriculture innovation fund supported by the Purdue Foundry, Purdue College of Agriculture, Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization, and the agricultural industry.
