Loveland Products and Ascribe Bioscience expand partnership on Phytalix-based crop protection

Loveland Products, a subsidiary of Nutrien Ag Solutions, and Ascribe Bioscience have announced an expanded collaboration aimed at developing new Phytalix-based crop protection products for the U.S. row crop market. The partnership will focus on proprietary premixes containing the Phytalix biofungicide, with product submissions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expected by the end of 2025.

The move builds on a partnership first announced in 2023, which targeted cereals, corn, and soybeans. The expansion follows three years of favorable field trial results, according to both companies.

Phytalix, derived from soil microbiome molecules, stimulates plant immune responses and provides broad-spectrum disease control. It features a novel mode of action that may aid in resistance management when combined with other fungicides.

Casey McDaniel, Vice President of Loveland Products, said the addition of Phytalix supports the company’s efforts to maintain disease control effectiveness amid growing resistance to major fungicide classes. “Phytalix’s compatibility with current crop protection chemistries makes it a valuable addition to our portfolio,” McDaniel said.

Jay Farmer, Co-Founder and CEO of Ascribe Bioscience, said Loveland’s approach provides a model for integrating biologicals into conventional crop protection programs. “We’ve seen outstanding field performance from Phytalix-based combinations and believe the economic value for growers could be significant,” Farmer stated.