b'PARTNER CONTENTPairing Biologicals Opens the Fast Lane to Higher YieldsBy: Ben Arends 1+1=3No, Im not bad at math.When it comes to biologicals, were finding that combining them can amplify the effects of both.Beauveria bassiana is a naturally occurring endophytic fungus first known for controlling darkling beetles in poultry barns. JABB of the Carolinas was founded by my uncle, Jim Arends, a professor emeritus at North Carolina State University in the Department of Entomology and Veterinary School, to offer this as a commercial product. Over time, researchers discovered it also works inside plants, colonizing roots, stems, and leaves, where it boosts growth, improves stress tolerance, and helps crops defend themselves against pests and diseases. After a shareholder tried it on his organic wheat fields with great success, we reformulated for crop use, and current sales show it will protect over 1.5 million acres of cropland in the upcoming growing season. Everyone is trying to get the most bang for their buck in a market where input costs are rising and crop prices are sliding.Untreated (left) and treated strawberries.PHOTO: JABB OF THE CAROLINASB. bassiana on its own delivers strong returns, reducing the need for other inputs, but when its combined with other biologicals,Our EndoShield ST formulation is designed for seed treatment, something remarkable happens. Theres synergy, and the resultsand can be combined with other biologicals, opening the door for outpace what would be expected from either product alone.these synergistic applications. I like to compare it to a highway system. Think of a BacillusOver the past two years we have been trialing a combination blend as a local road network. This typically resides in the rhizo- of B. bassiana with another biological. Results arent finalized, so sphere, close to the roots, keeping traffic (nutrients) moving effi- I cant give all the details yet, but I can tell you that with just B. ciently where the road system starts. It smooths the flow, reducesbassiana we saw a 6% yield increase and the other biological had congestion, and ensures resources reach the root surface wherea 4% yield increase. However, when combined, we saw a 12% yield they can be absorbed and put to work by the plant.increase, along with improved germination and plant vigor.B. bassiana, on the other hand, is the high-speed freeway. ItWith increased yields, vigour, and stress tolerance this ap-moves through the plant from root to leaf keeping everythingproach offers a more efficient and sustainable way to manage connected, allowing nutrients and signals to move faster andcrops, especially in seasons when every dollar counts. Its excit-more efficiently.ing to see these results in the field, knowing we can help growers On their own, both systems function well. But when weachieve greater ROI.combine them, its like building on-ramps in all the right places,Were only scratching the surface of what these pairings can connecting local roads directly to the freeway. Suddenly, there aredo. Every new combination tested, whether in row crop, cereals, no stop signs or bottlenecks, just smooth, continuous movement.or specialty crops, can teach us something about how these living Nutrients, signals and defenses travel seamlessly through thesystems communicate. Nature is complex, but when we connect plant, and performance accelerates.the right pieces, they dont compete, they cooperate.The same applies when we add Trichoderma or mycorrhizaeThats the power of biological synergy. Its not about replac-into the mix. Each biological works in its own zone. One mighting conventional tools overnight. Its about enhancing what we free up phosphorus, another transports it, and yet anotheralready have. B. bassiana opened the door by showing what a chelates iron. Alone, each has value. Together, they create ansingle microbe can achieve inside the plant. Now, by building on-optimized transport network where everything moves more ef- ramps between biologicals, were discovering a whole new level of ficiently, and nothing gets stuck at the intersection. Thats whenperformance. This is proof that in the right conditions, 1 + 1 really 1+1 really equals 3.can equal 3.FEBRUARY 2026SEEDWORLD.COM /27'