FA Bio, a pioneer in microbial solutions for regenerative agriculture, proudly announces the successful completion of its Novel Dual-Action Biopesticide for wheat project, aimed at transforming crop protection for UK wheat farmers. The project, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and UKRI’s Transforming Food Production Challenge under the Farming Innovation Programme, represents a major step forward in sustainable crop management and bioproduct innovation.
Wheat is a cornerstone of UK agriculture, but its productivity is continually threatened by fungal diseases and insect pests – particularly the cereal aphids Rhopalosiphum padi (Bird cherry-oat aphid) and Sitobion avenae (English grain Aphid). These pests cause considerable yield losses through direct feeding and virus transmission. FA Bio’s project set out to tackle both threats simultaneously with a novel dual-action biopesticide derived from native soil and plant-associated fungi.
Led by FA Bio in collaboration with CABI and the UK Agri-Tech Centre, the project leveraged FA Bio’s proprietary microbial discovery platform to discover fungal strains with both bioinsecticidal and biofungicidal activity. Extensive laboratory testing, led and conducted by CABI, identified promising microbial candidates which were subsequently evaluated in glasshouse trials at the Stockbridge Technology Centre (STC). These trials validated the potential of the selected strains to control aphids on wheat plants. Promising candidates were then trialled in polytunnel conditions, simulating real-world environments and further confirming their effectiveness.
As a result of this project, the team identified novel fungal candidates that provided better protection against aphid infestations than the commercial benchmark. Furthermore, the leading candidates demonstrated a novel and revolutionary mode of action for a microbial biopesticide that opens the door to more cost-effective formulations and product applications for row arable crops.
Dr. Andrea González González, FA Bio’s Head of Research, directed the scientific programme. Working closely with CABI and STC’s technical teams, she was responsible for leading the development of the strategy used to select strains from FA Bio’s Microbial Library. She also played a leading role in developing the experimental design for the glasshouse and polytunnel trials. Additionally, she conducted the data analysis and final project reporting. The project’s conclusion was marked by a well-received presentation of the findings at a closure meeting earlier this month, highlighting both strong scientific outcomes and excellent project execution.
“This project exemplifies our commitment to regenerative agriculture that aligns with the urgent need to reduce synthetic pesticide use,” said Dr. Andrea González González. “The success of our dual-action candidates not only supports crop productivity but also promotes soil health, biodiversity and reduces crop losses.”
FA Bio is now moving forward with additional testing, partnership engagements and formulation efforts for the most effective fungal strains, while preparing a patent application and exploring broader applications beyond aphid pests. These next steps aim to bring this technology closer to the growers.
In addition to technical development, the project deepened FA Bio’s engagement with the UK agricultural community through the support of the UK Agri-Tech Centre. By gathering insights from farmers, agronomists and stakeholders, the initiative also sought to understand and accelerate adoption of biopesticides across the sector.
This breakthrough contributes to the UK’s leadership in sustainable agriculture, aligning with government goals to increase food production resilience while reducing environmental impact.
