Project description
Controlling superweeds with safe and effective bioherbicides
One of the greatest challenges in modern agriculture is weed control. New varieties of superweeds have developed resistance to many common synthetic herbicides, resulting in significantly reduced harvests and economic loss. This has resulted in the creation of SteriWeed, a novel biological herbicide that inhibits seed growth of resistant weeds. So far, it has proven extremely successful in controlling a devastating type of pigweed in the United States. The objective of the EU-funded SteriWeed project is to develop the marketing strategy and protocols for SteriWeed in order to combat resistant black-grass weed that plagues crops in Europe. It will ultimately boost crop yields while adhering to sustainable farming techniques.
Objective
Weeds cause more than 35 Billion € annual global losses, equivalent to 34% of crop yield. If weeds were uncontrolled, about 50% of the crops would be lost. Therefore, synthetic (chemical) herbicides have been used since the late 1940s. However, herbicide’s use has resulted in weed’s evolution. Hence, the most persistent challenge of modern agriculture is the increasing incidence of weed resistance.
Bioherbicides have been introduced as an efficient, yet environmentally-friendly alternative to synthetic herbicides. However, they perform inconsistently, have limited shelf-life, have potential adverse effects for humans and are not economically viable. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new technological methods of weed control and management that do not depend on synthetic herbicide use.
We are developing SteriWeed, a novel biological herbicide based on treated pollen and designed to target the resistant-weed and not the crop. It is non-toxic, not chemical engineered, easy to apply and cost-effective. Our innovation lies in its simplicity as the SteriWeed production method consists of only two steps: natural pollen harvesting and irradiation. The results are inviable weeds, unable to produce seeds in the next season.
Today, our team of 6 employees with interdisciplinary background have reached the proof of concept of our technology for A. palmeri, one of the most threaten weeds in the US, reaching outstanding weed control results. The goal of this project is to expand our technology towards the control of the main resistant weeds threatening the European crops.
We estimate that in five years after launching the commercialization phase, SteriWeed will cover over 1.5 million ha across Europe, Israel and USA. We will reach €42 million in cumulative revenues (cumulative profit of €15.5 million – ROI 7.15). We estimate the payback time in beginning of 2023. We plan to hire 11 new professionals, technical experts as well as professionals in business.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
4673306 HERZLYA
Israel
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.