CYSTIUM-L: seaweed-based fungicide for sustainable agriculture
CYSTIUM-L is an innovative seaweed-based fungicide designed to reduce fungal infections in crops without harming plant health or soil microbiome. Developed by Ficosterra, it uses laminarin from brown seaweeds to specifically target harmful fungi.
Overview
CYSTIUM-L is a revolutionary fungicide derived from seaweed, developed by Ficosterra, aimed at sustainably managing fungal infections in agricultural crops. Utilizing laminarin, a natural compound found in brown seaweeds, CYSTIUM-L targets and reduces the presence of harmful fungi, ensuring healthier crops and more robust yields. Unlike traditional chemical fungicides, CYSTIUM-L is designed to be safe for plants and maintain the integrity of the soil microbiome, potentially leading to better productivity and financial returns for farmers.
Technical specifications
CYSTIUM-L is a liquid extract rich in laminarin, with concentrations ranging from 10 to 22 grams per liter. The product is applied as a foliar spray every 10 to 15 days to effectively reduce fungal infections. The development of an industrial-scale extraction system is underway in partnership with VALENT, ensuring the product meets specific agricultural requirements. Key evaluation metrics include the incidence and severity of fungal infections, plant health and growth metrics, and phytotoxicity assessment.
Technology readiness level
Currently, CYSTIUM-L is at Technology Readiness Level 4, indicating that it has been validated at a lab scale and is undergoing further development and testing. Future validation will involve a one-year experimental study in an agricultural research station, focusing on its effectiveness and impact on plant health, with the aim of advancing its readiness for commercial deployment.
About FICOSTERRA
Ficosterra is a marine biotechnology company based in Burgos, Spain, that develops and manufactures seaweed-based solutions for the agricultural industry. Founded as a spin-off of Hispanagar, the company leverages extensive expertise in marine hydrocolloids to produce a range of biofertilizers, biostimulants, soil activators, and nitrogen fixers. Its proprietary technologies, such as the biological crop booster (BCB) and the total recovery deployment (TRD) extraction process, combine prebiotic seaweed extracts with probiotic microbial inoculants. These solutions are designed to be animal-free, environmentally friendly, and suitable for both organic and conventional farming practices.
These biotechnological products help farmers improve crop quality, increase yields, and enhance soil health by restoring microbial balance and optimizing nutrient uptake. By reducing the reliance on conventional chemical fertilizers, Ficosterra’s solutions support more sustainable agricultural practices and help manage production costs. The company’s innovative approach has been recognized with various international awards, including a European Seal of Excellence, and it actively collaborates with research centers to develop advanced, marine-derived agricultural inputs. The company serves farmers across Europe, Africa, and Latin America, providing tailor-made formulations to meet specific crop needs and improve overall agronomic performance.
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