At the BSWC, David Gaillet introduced a seaweed technology to produce biostimulants that optimize fertilizer performance and help plants combat abiotic stress. Can you talk us through the research and manufacturing facilities available to UPL in the development of Hycoxa®?
We have had over the years a lot of scientific collaborations like in France with the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Algae Technology & Innovation Centre (CEVA). These have empowered UPL to advance in the molecular characterization of Ascophyllum nodosum, revealing its DNA with unique bioactive compounds such as polyols, polysaccharides, phlorotannin, fucosterols, and osmolytes.
Products powered by Hycoxa® technology are produced at Laboratoires Goëmar (St Malo, France), our Ecocert-certified manufacturing facility, guaranteeing they are manufactured in an environmentally friendly and socially conscious manner.
Based on highly concentrated Ascophyllum nodosum extract, how would you describe Hycoxa®?
Hycoxa® is a process technology that produces superior biostimulant ingredients from Ascophyllum nodosum, a remarkable seaweed species native to the North Atlantic coastlines. This extraordinary seaweed has evolved unique biochemical compounds to thrive in extreme weather conditions, developing naturally resilient
properties that make it invaluable for agricultural applications.
Hycoxa® technology extracts a unique pool of active molecules from the seaweed.
These molecules enhance plant nutrition physiology to optimize fertilizer performance and increases plant resilience to abiotic stress, all while ensuring consistent results for farmers at ultra-low doses.
Hycoxa® technology also enables plants to better withstand environmental stress during the reproductive phase, ensuring pollen viability even under adverse thermal conditions. For example, Hycoxa® has demonstrated an 80% increase in pollen viability in tomatoes.
Is there an optimal time to harvest?Yes, after years of careful observation, UPL researchers identified the optimal harvesting season for Ascophyllum nodosum to ensure the seaweed is hand-picked at its peak biological potential. We then meticulously isolate and concentrate the seaweed's most powerful bioactive compounds to create our new generation of biostimulants.
As well abiotic stress, what other functions can a biostimulant based on Hycoxa® bring to the field?
Hycoxa® delivers performance-boosting molecules that supercharge plant nutrition physiology by activating nitrogen absorption, assimilation and remobilization at the genomic level. This strengthens essential nutritional processes and maximizes fertilizer efficiency.
With colleagues, we received a high interest from attendees from all over the world, asking for details for better understanding on product activities, business development, registrations, or also for discussions about potential collaborations.
Hycoxa® technology optimizes fertilizer efficiency by improving nitrogen uptake, promoting superior plant health and increased yield potential. It ensures consistent crop performance by enhancing plant resilience and delivers targeted, nature-derived protection against adverse conditions, supporting agricultural productivity while maintaining balance within the ecosystem.
What advantages does the concentrated formulation bring?
Solutions developed with Hycoxa® technology are highly concentrated, achieving significant results with lower application rates. This innovative approach reduces warehouse space, packaging waste and transportation costs and significantly cuts carbon emissions.
What was the response to this technology at the Biostimulants World Congress?
I had the great opportunity to present on commercial track this “innovative, exclusive and patented technology to support a more sustainable and climate resilient agriculture”. We also had two posters related to the mode of action. With colleagues, we received a high interest from attendees from all over the world, asking for details for better understanding on product activities, business development, registrations, or also for discussions about potential collaborations.
