The objective of the Sea-More-Yield proposal is to commercialise a disruptive blue biotechnology solution to address a bio-oil crop productivity challenge. Three years of independant trials have consistently demonstrated a 20% increase in yield over the current market leading product. Sea-More-Yield powered by Plant Signal Induction (PSI) is a novel patent pending blue biotech innovation to reduce pod shatter in Oilseed Rape (OSR) delivering more oil at the farm gate if implemented across the EU-27. End result, more food and energy security, a theme underscored by Horizon 2020. Global Oilseed Rape (OSR) production for 2014/15 is expected to reach 69.1 million metric tons and is now the second largest oilseed crop after soybean. Uses include crushing to produce rapeseed oil, animal feed and biodiesel. With a global population set to reach 9 billion by 2050, OSR is a key crop for human and animal consumption and is central to mitigating a future food and/or energy security crisis. However, OSR due to its relatively recent domestication suffers from a number of defects which limits its success as a modern day crop. Fully mature pods of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) are extremely prone to opening, resulting in seed loss (pod shatter). Typical losses vary between 15% and 25% of the potential yield, but reductions of up to 70% were estimated in seasons when weather conditions were poor prior to and during harvest. A reduction in the tendency of pods to opening is the number one trait sought by farmers and would serve to increase the proportion of the yield recovered by the combine harvester and thereby improve production efficiency and sustainability of OSR as alternative food and energy source. To address this industry limiting problem, Sea-More-Yield offers a unique blue technology that modulates OSR pod physiology to control unsynchronised pod shatter.
Sea-More-Yield represents an excellent opportunity for the H2020 SME instrument as it will launch the participating SME Brandon Products into new markets, promote growth, and create high returns of investment. Sea-More-Yield is aligned with the call topic supporting SMEs efforts for the development - deployment and market replication of innovative biotechnology solutions for blue growth. Sea-More-Yield is a perfect example of such an opportunity. The basis of the Sea-More-Yield technology is the seaweed bioresource used in biostimulant manufacture, which is a complex and unique resource whose chemical, biochemical and biological properties provides major undiscovered potential. The main beneficiaries of the development of Sea-More-Yield will be Brandon Products; Growers of OSR, Oil processors, Product distributors, Consumers and the environment.
The objectives of phase 1 of the Sea-More-Yield Project were:
1. Completing a risk assessment of the opportunity through compilation of a detailed SWOT analysis.
2. Establishing a strategy for dealing with foreground and background IP for development of the technology.
3. Partner search and initial engagement with potential partners for commercialisation.
4. Establishing technology development needs (including registration requirements) to facilitate successful market launch.
5. Drafting of Business Plan
