By Scout Nelson
A new soybean-based innovation is taking shape in South Dakota, where Dr. Matthew Cole, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pioneer Biotechnology Incorporated, is developing a natural bioadjuvant to improve crop protection.
Working out of Dakota BioWorx in Brookings, Cole is focused on bringing a product to market that could create new demand for soybeans while providing sustainable farming benefits.
Bioadjuvants are substances that improve the performance of crop protection sprays by helping them spread more evenly and work more effectively. What makes this soybean-based product unique is that it is created through fermentation using microbes.
According to Cole, this provides a biobased alternative to the synthetic adjuvants currently used in agriculture.
The potential impact goes beyond spray support. Early evidence suggests this bioadjuvant may also have its own mode of action against white mold, a major crop disease.
Cole also points to research that shows promise in treating bacterial plant diseases, including Goss’s Wilt in corn, which lacks effective mainstream treatment options. This opens doors for broader use across different crops and farming challenges.
The project has received strong support from the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff, which has backed both Cole’s work and the Dakota BioWorx facility. Cole emphasized the importance of this support, noting that it allows him to create something of value for farmers across the state.
With this development, South Dakota farmers could soon have access to a sustainable, soybean-based solution that addresses multiple crop health challenges while supporting soybean demand.
Photo Credit: soybeans-ready-for-harvest-istock-ds70
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Soybeans