The biotechnology company ATENS has extended the approved uses of its biofungicide TRICOTEN WP to seed treatment, AgriBusiness Global reports. The approval, obtained first in France, allows maize seed to be treated against Pythium, a pathogen that can compromise germination and emergence.
The product is based on an exclusive strain, Trichoderma atroviride AT10. In trials during development it reduced disease incidence to a level comparable with the chemical reference products tested, the company says.
Seed treatment places the biocontrol directly alongside the seed and emerging roots from the very start of the crop cycle. In maize, protecting this stage matters because early Pythium attacks can reduce plant numbers and yield potential.
For seed companies, an effective microorganism is not enough. The product must fit treatment processes, spread evenly and stay viable through drying and storage until sowing. ATENS says it addresses this through solid-state fermentation that produces mature, stable spores, together with a formulation designed for easy preparation and stability on treated seed.
The company sees France as a starting point for other European markets through mutual recognition. It cites Eurostat figures showing the EU produced nearly 59 million tonnes of maize in 2024, about 23% of its total cereal output.
ATENS, founded in 1994, makes microorganism-based products for agriculture and plans to take TRICOTEN WP into further crops and markets. The account of the results comes from the company; no independent trial data are given.
Photo: Tangopaso / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Source: AgriBusiness Global
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