BioLumic and Beck's Hybrids Unite to Enhance Corn Growth with UV Light

BioLumic is joining forces with Beck's Hybrids, Peterson Corn Genetics, Peterson Farms Seed, Breeder Direct, and other leading seed companies have made a significant advancement in improving inbred corn lines. This breakthrough is particularly noteworthy as inbred corn lines, which are genetically 'pure,' serve as the foundational parent seeds essential for creating high-performing hybrid seeds. These hybrid seeds are highly sought after by farmers worldwide for their superior traits and yield potential. BioLumic’s innovative approach leverages light to enhance the genetic characteristics of these inbred lines, potentially revolutionizing the seed industry by improving crop performance and meeting the growing demands of modern agriculture.

Following notable achievements in 2023 field trials, BioLumic is joining forces with the leading seed companies. The collaboration focuses on applying BioLumic’s Genetic Expression Trait™ technology to a diverse range of inbred and hybrid corn lines. This initiative aims to improve critical factors such as germination, emergence, seedling vigor, yield, and hybrid seed quality—key issues often encountered in inbred seed corn breeding and production. By addressing these challenges, the partnership seeks to significantly boost productivity and performance in corn cultivation.

BioLumic’s technology employs Ultraviolet (UV) light signaling to activate natural genetic expression in plants, enhancing yield, quality, and plant defense traits without the need for genetic modification or chemical additives. This scientifically proven method is poised to transform the seed industry by providing farmers with light-treated seeds that offer superior traits. BioLumic is on track to commercialize this technology for both inbred and hybrid corn cultivars, with light-treated seeds expected to be available for the 2025 planting season.

BioLumic’s light treatments are specifically designed to address inbreeding depression issues in seed varieties. In 2023 trials, treated inbred corn lines with the stand establishment and yield trait packages achieved over a 7.3% increase in yield compared to standard grower practices, with the company aiming for double-digit improvements this year. BioLumic’s Genetic Expression Traits can be combined into comprehensive trait packages to improve multiple characteristics, such as stand establishment, yield, and composition, including lipid content.

In the United States, field corn production primarily relies on vigorous, high-yielding hybrid cultivars developed by crossing genetically pure inbred seed lines to achieve specific traits. However, challenges associated with inbreeding depression, such as diminished germination rates, poor seedling emergence and vigor, and increased vulnerability to environmental stress and nutrient deficiencies, frequently lead to reduced yields and suboptimal hybrid seed quality during the seed production process.

BioLumic is on the verge of launching its Genetic Expression Traits for both inbred and hybrid corn in collaboration with Gro Alliance in Q1 2025. The company is also working closely with genetics providers to create new traits for their cultivars. Furthermore, BioLumic is progressing with trait development for soybean parent lines, with initial trials set to begin this year.

Steve Sibulkin, CEO of BioLumic, highlighted the groundbreaking impact of their UV light technology on seed production. By activating and securing Genetic Expression Traits in corn parent lines, this technology allows these traits to be passed on to hybrid corn progeny without additional treatments. This advancement significantly streamlines the seed production process by eliminating years of traditional trait identification and breeding efforts. Moreover, it bypasses the lengthy regulatory approvals typically associated with genetic modification, thereby accelerating the development of high-yield, high-quality, and healthy corn varieties.