Ag Tech Talk Podcast: Syngenta-TraitSeq Breaking Barriers in Biostimulant Development
30 January 2025 In this episode of Ag Tech Talk by Agribusiness Global, we’re diving into the recent partnership between Syngenta and TraitSeq. Jérôme Cassayre, Head of Biologicals Research at Syngenta, and Joshua Colmer, CEO and Co-Founder of TraitSeq, explore how AI-driven biomarker identification is revolutionizing the development of next-generation biostimulants.
* This is an edited and partial transcript of this podcast.
ABG: Can you share why Syngenta partnered with TraitSeq and how AI is being used for Syngenta’s formulation?
Jérôme Cassayre, Syngenta: Thank you, Lauren, and thank you for having us on the podcast. It’s a fantastic opportunity to share how Syngenta and TraitSeq are working together to push the boundaries of agricultural innovation. Our partnership with TraitSeq really underscores Syngenta’s commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence, not just for chemical innovation—which we’ve done implemented already —but also for biological innovation, particularly in the realm of biostimulants.
TraitSeq’s expertise in machine learning and biomarker identification perfectly complements our goals to accelerate and enhance product development and deepen our understanding of crop traits. Just to clarify, when we talk about “biomarkers,” we’re referring to specific indicators of a plant’s cellular state—signs of either normal or abnormal processes, such as how plants respond to biotic or abiotic stress.
At Syngenta, we generate and analyze a massive amount of data to understand the complex interactions between biostimulants, plants, and their environments. TraitSeq’s machine learning models and platform enable us to dive even deeper into this complexity. Together, we’re creating a truly complementary partnership.
Joshua Colmer, TraitSeq: I completely agree with Jérôme. Biostimulants are inherently complex. Their effectiveness can vary greatly depending on interactions with crop genetics, environmental conditions, and formulation techniques. Additionally, the biological pathways they influence aren’t always fully understood.
That’s why our partnership with Syngenta is so exciting. Syngenta brings a wealth of data and deep expertise in biostimulant development. By combining that with TraitSeq’s ability to identify molecular biomarkers—highly predictive indicators of biostimulant performance—we can move beyond traditional development methods.
Our AI-driven approach allows us not only to predict efficacy but also to understand the biological processes behind improved crop performance. These insights feed directly into the discovery process, helping to create the next generation of biostimulants. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Syngenta because they recognize the power of combining big data, advanced AI techniques, and molecular insights to transform agriculture.
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