Source Agriculture invests in Ascribe Bioscience to develop eco-friendly alternatives

Source Agriculture Corp. has announced a strategic investment in Ascribe Bioscience, a biotechnology company focused on sustainable crop protection. The partnership reflects Source Agriculture’s broader strategy of supporting innovations that address global agricultural challenges while enhancing farming efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Ascribe Bioscience, founded in 2017 and based on research from Cornell University’s Boyce Thompson Institute, develops crop protection products derived from the soil microbiome. Its flagship product, Phytalix, primes plants’ immune systems, helping crops such as corn, wheat, soy, rice, potatoes, and tomatoes resist pathogens more effectively. Phytalix is non-toxic, biodegradable, and non-GMO, offering farmers a viable alternative to chemical pesticides.

The product works by activating natural plant defenses, reducing the need for extensive chemical treatments. Minimal active ingredients are required per acre, lowering costs and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices. Ascribe’s proprietary platform leverages advanced metabolomics to identify soil-derived molecules that improve plant health. Unlike traditional live microbial treatments, this approach yields shelf-stable products that maintain reliability across diverse field conditions.

Aman Gill, President and CEO of Source Agriculture, highlighted the significance of this investment, noting that it supports technologies aimed at improving agricultural productivity while reducing environmental impact. The collaboration with Ascribe strengthens Source Agriculture’s portfolio of agri-tech companies focused on advancing sustainable farming solutions globally.

This investment signals a shift in how the agricultural industry approaches crop protection, with natural, science-driven alternatives poised to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and improve crop resilience across key markets.