b"Lighting Up Seed InnovationHow BioLumics UV technology is reshaping trait development.By Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. EditorWHEN JASON WARGENTstarted30% greater root mass in corn, BioLumic, he didnt know exactly howenhancing drought resilience and the company would change the world.carbon capture.He just knew it could. BioLumics treatments fit seamlessly Ive always believed we could makeinto existing grower practices, deliver-an impact, BioLumic founder and chiefing biologically enhanced seeds without science officer Wargentsays. But thechanging standard processes. breakthroughs were making now werentThis is a trait platform, not a product, even imaginable when we started. Wargent emphasizes. It can plug into vir-BioLumic has created a groundbreak- tually any germplasm, and the traits can ing seed trait platform powered by light.be inheritedeven without retreatment.Its technology activates traits using short, targeted bursts of UV and visible light, A Decade of Discoverytransforming how seeds grow and howFounded in 2013, BioLumic initially seed companies think about innovation. focused on horticulture but shifted to Wargent explains that BioLumic con- Jason Wargent is Biolumics founder andseed treatment after discovering lights trols gene expression using light, acti- chief science officerpowerful ability to activate traits early in vating existing plant pathways instantly,plant developmentmaking xTrait tech-without the need for gene editing, chemi- showed yield increases of up to 77% innology effective for large-scale impact. cals, or regulatory delays. second-generation hybrid corn.BioLumics breakthrough came from BioLumics xTrait (Genetic ExpressionWe think were starting to triggershifting focus from treating plants to Trait) technology harnesses photomor- hybrid vigor in ways no one else can,treating seeds, unlocking powerful early-phogenesisplants natural responseWargent says. If thats true, were lookingstage trait activation. This led to innova-to lightusing precise UV Light Signalat a new way of driving performance. tions in gene expression diagnostics, Recipes to trigger beneficial traits. TheseBioLumic achieves results using mini- faster seed screening, and the discovery non-DNA-altering treatments boost rootmal seed by applying treatments at theof cross-generational trait inheritancegrowth, yield, immunity, and can evenparent stage. With rapid testing and noenabling benefits to carry from treated lower methane emissions in livestockregulatory hurdles, this enables trait roll- parent seeds to the next generation, feed, by activating the plants existingouts up to 90% faster and at lower costpotentially transforming seed production.genetic potential.than GM or traditional breeding.Innovation for ImpactLighting the Way in Seed Corn More Than Corn BioLumic is preparing to scale up fast. Though the science sounds futuristic,BioLumic is expanding beyond corn,They are working with companies like BioLumic's commercial rollout is under- developing traits for soybean, rice, andGro Alliance and Becks Hybrids. Wargent way. In 2024, it began treating inbredpasture grasses. Trials have shown: says they are just getting started. corn lines with proprietary light recipesOver 20% yield gain in untreated through a major partnership with Grohybrids and 8.2% in activated inbredsON THE WEBAlliance and Breeder Direct.1 5% boost in rice emergence, ena- WHERE In 2024, BioLumics light-treated seedsbling DDSR systems that reduce became available to growers for the firstmethane emissions This article has been shortened time. The benefits are compounding50% fewer pest and disease symp- for print. Scan the QR code toseed companies see higher yields intoms in soybeans and leafy greens read the entire version.inbred production, and farmers gain trait2-3% lipid gain in forage grass, cut-advantages in hybrids. Some field trialsting methane emissions by 12%22/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2025"