b"GLOBALGLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATION SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 thPLACE PLACE PLACE PLACEGLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATION SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN1 st 2 nd 3 rdPLACE PLACE PLACEGLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATIONPushing the GLOBAL INNOVATION SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN1 st 2 nd Boundaries of PLACE PLACE 3 rdPLACECrop PotentialGLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATION ZeaKals PhotoSeed boosts yield and SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWNquality while reducing carbon intensity 1 st 2 nd 3 rdPLACE PLACE PLACE and could reshape the future of agriculture.By Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. EditorIN A WORLD HUNGRYfor smarter solutions, ZeaKals flagship plant trait technology, PhotoSeed, is rewriting the rules of crop productivity and sustainability. By elevating photo-synthesis and carbon conversion, this innovation is doing more GLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATIONthan yieldits ATION GLOBAL INNOVturning every photon into a more profitable, SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWNnutritious, and environmentally responsible outcome.1 st 2 nd 3 rdThats the promise and power behind PhotoSeed, and its a PLACE PLACE PLACEkey reason why ZeaKal rose to the top in the Seed World Global Innovation Showdown. The technology stood out not just for its scientific chops, but for how it reimagines the value of seed.We confuse the plant into thinking that its starving, says Han Chen, co-founder and CEO of ZeaKal. Its the anti-Ozempic of plants. The plant sustains photosynthesis longer throughout the day and the season because its tricked into thinking it needs to work harder to capture carbon.That sustained energy capture allows crops to produce more oil, more protein, more feed, more fuelwithout needing more inputs, more land, or more time. PhotoSeed isn't a bandage. It's a new blueprint.Han Chen, ZeaKal CEO and co-founder.PHOTO: BAUMAN PHOTOGRAPHERS The Origin StoryThe idea that launched ZeaKalliterally on the back of a napkinstarted with a modest goal: make perennial ryegrass more nutritious for New Zealand pastures. But the results went far beyond expectations.12/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2025"