Agriculture Daily Summary: What Happened on October 22, 2026

Philippine trials test light-treated rice seeds

BioLumic and the International Rice Research Institute began field trials in the Philippines to test light-activated seed technology in direct-seeded rice.1 The 15-month pilot will assess crop establishment and performance, and inform potential testing in more locations and commercial seed portfolios.1 Direct seeding avoids the flooded fields used in conventional rice cultivation and can reduce water use, but uneven crop establishment and yield concerns have limited adoption.1

The International Rice Research Institute and the Food and Agriculture Organization estimate that climate-smart direct-seeded rice systems could reduce methane emissions by 30% to 45%.1 BioLumic says xTraits exposes seeds to light to alter gene activity, without chemicals or genetic modification.1

Pioneer plans to add Victrato to its 2027 soybean package

Pioneer plans to add Victrato to the LumiGEN seed-treatment package for its soybean products starting with the 2027 growing season.2 The treatment targets soybean cyst nematode, sudden death syndrome and red crown rot, among other threats.2 No effective in-season curative treatments exist for sudden death syndrome or red crown rot, making Victrato a preventive option.2

Across two years of trials at 70 replicated locations, Victrato showed a statistically significant vigor benefit and yielded 1.5 bushels per acre more than ILEVO HL.2 Both treatments used the same base LumiGEN fungicide and insecticide treatments.2 Victrato's active ingredient technology is classified as a Group 7 fungicide and an N-3 nematicide.2

Also worth knowing

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  Syngenta named Jeff Cecil president of its North America Crop Protection business on October 1, succeeding Vern Hawkins. Cecil expects industry cost pressures to persist into 2027.3

Also published

• Huma Enters Granular Fertilizer Market CropLife
• Put Test Plot Data to Work in Your Seed Strategy CropLife