BOFIN and Unium Bioscience held a webinar on 27th February 2025 exploring how plant genomics – studying gene expression and targeted biological solutions – are driving innovation. From advanced biostimulants to sustainable strategies for boosting crop resilience and productivity, attendees will gain insights into cutting-edge developments shaping modern farming.

The UK has a leading role in genomics research, with new technologies transforming farming by boosting food production, reducing input costs and environmental impact, and supporting food security. To learn more, join speakers Layne Ellen Harris, PhD, of Foresight Agronomics, Tim Eyrich of HELM Agro, and regenerative agriculture advocate Ben Taylor-Davies, also known as ‘Regen Ben,’ for this dynamic discussion. Unlike genetic modification (GM) or the genome editing technique known as CRISPR, genomics is a field of science that uses genomic information to study how genes affect plant health and biological processes. It doesn’t alter DNA but analyses genetic data to unlock insights.

It is the study of an organism’s complete genetic makeup, helping scientists to understand gene interactions and their impacts on plant traits. This breakthrough allows us to see precisely how products influence plant physiology, optimising growth, maximising results, and creating reliable agricultural solutions.

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Speakers

Layne Ellen Harris PhD
Layne Ellen Harris PhDForesight Agronomics
owner and research consultant at foresight agronomics, with a PhD in plant molecular biology and over a decade of experience in agricultural research, will outline how nutrition and bioactive compounds influence gene expression and how this insight helps optimise plant growth and health naturally
Tim Eyrich
Tim EyrichHELM Agro
head of agronomy and Innovation at HELM Agro, will give insight into the practical application of biological solutions in the field, delving into independent trials conducted by Unium Bioscience, which involve extracting plant DNA, analysing genome sequencing to understand plant functions, and evaluating how biological products influence these traits.
Ben Taylor-Davies
Ben Taylor-DaviesRegen Ben
UK farmer and global agroecology consultant, RegenBen. A Nuffield Farming Scholar, Ben is well known and respected for his unconventional thinking and attitudes that have led him to pioneer new approaches.

Questions

Click the + to read the answers

Yes, some variability should be expected, but this is why investigating effects on entire pathways and systems (instead of only single gene activity) is very important. Conditions can certainly make crops more or less sensitive to a “priming” product, or a growth stimulating product. However, overall we tend to see consistent types of effects, while the degree or “intensity” of that effect might vary depending on the other influencing conditions.

Layne-Ellen

Also we need to measure expectations – making over stated claims, with no backing or scientific understanding etc sets the product up or a fall, hence the snake oil reputation.

John Haywood

Without being biased but of course I would say that ……. Some of our products have lit up the plants like a Christmas Tree ~ however that has to be put in context to Tim’s point of dose, timing, sequences etc so its about strengthening pathways building programmes during the plants life to allow it to reach it optimum.

John Haywood

Partly yes – for example we know that if the plant is deficient in Mn and B then the translocation of sugars is less effective, we have seen this in variable results with our product 3Alo T6P hence why its on the label to ensure you have sufficiency.

AS Tim pointed out K & S and others are critical for N metabolism, so again look at the limiting factors.

We have always linked physiological growth stage with nutrition and biostimulant activity with our development database – but now with genomics we can take that a step further.

John Haywood

Some are known to elicit within 30 minutes and can even last for 3-4 weeks.

Layne-Ellen

Nutritional status is critical – I would recommend you reading “Mineral Nutrition and Plant Disease – Dantoff,Elmer& Rodrigues which covers each element and its link to specific diseases. A weak plant invites disease and one out of balance i.e. a lot of free nitrogen will attract pests and diseases. Disease have the ability to alter the leaf nutrient status in favour of the disease and against the plant so nutrition is critical. Its not directly controlling the disease just making the plant environment unattractive for the disease to develop.

John Haywood

Scyon has inbuilt nutrient support which provides two functions ; increase the nutrient status of the leaf which supports the plants defence system and also supports any resource requirement demand from the increase in this pathway so that the plant doesn’t go reduce growth.

John Haywood

Uplink is the same product as Twoxo in the UK. For moire information please click the link:

https://www.uniumbioscience.com/portfolio-items/twoxo-3/

John Haywood

We do have biostimulant and biological seed treatments

https://www.uniumbioscience.com/seed-treatments/

We have these as a liquid formulation or a new graphite based formulation for seeds that are already bagged when they arrive on farm. Which are a really cost-effective way to optimise establishment.

In furrow is also a possibility.

John Haywood

This is a multi-factorial question if ever there was but a great one – genetics, soil type, weather, fertiliser type, establishment etc etc all have an impact and I remember Dr Chris Green of CMI showing us some data many years ago where a researcher divided the total crop N by the number of days the crop was in the ground and applied this amount each day ……. you did say disregard logistics – and I seem to remember the yield increased by over 50% all things being equal. This could be due to many factors which we can manipulate within our current cropping systems e.g. better supply ~ biological, better uptake, better assimilation, better products (protected polymers) so building a programme along these lines would optimise the yield within our systems.

John Haywood

Mmmmm tricky one which everyone is looking for an answer;

More common diseases and disorders have been associated with copper than any other element on the periodic table – effect associated –

  1. biocidal effects of copper
  2. direct copper toxicity
  3. supporting host defence (esp at sub biocidal rates)
  4. Cu (and B) can lead to pollen sterility which can indirectly lead to more ergot as the flower will remain open for longer
  5. Cu needs to be applied early not leaving it too late
Treatment Yield Kg/Ha No Ergot Sclerotia per 500g of grain
Untreated 1075 96
Cu early (GS37) 2587 6
Cu late (anthesis) 840 120
I Evans, E Solberg and DM Huber APS

John Haywood

Yes! There is a lot of exciting research about epigenetic priming both in annual and perennial crops and stress resistance/tolerance. Some crops can be primed for heightened stress resistance the following year.

Layne-Ellen

We have seen the same when we treat wheat crop with 3Alo T6P at flowering, if you save the seed then the crop emerges stronger and ultimately yields higher the following crop – giving you double bubble for your investment.

John Haywood

I agree this is critical, as well as we can over complicate (over price) things to…….. the right product at the right dose at the right time is good value so cheap is not always best as if it doesn’t work then it’s very expensive.

The key is to be able to track in season and correct as we go along. Technologies are developing and hopefully soon we can have an infield nutrient analyser giving real time accurate data we can respond to.