KGS microbes for crop care: plant growth promotion and biofungicide solution

Overview

KGS Group is developing a microbial crop care solution based on two proprietary strains: KGS-2, a facultative endophytic plant growth-promoting (PGP) microorganism, and KGS-3, a biofungicide. KGS-2 is a novel Pseudomonas strain that colonizes a wide range of monocot and dicot crops, including corn, soybean, and canola, stimulating plant growth from within the plant tissue. KGS-3 complements KGS-2 by providing protection against fungal diseases such as blackleg, fusarium head blight, and black scurf. Applied together, the two strains offer growers a combined approach to crop productivity and disease management using naturally occurring microbes rather than synthetic chemicals.

This solution targets the growing demand for sustainable agricultural inputs that can reduce reliance on conventional fertilizers and fungicides while maintaining or improving yields. By leveraging beneficial microorganisms, KGS Group aims to provide farmers with a biologically based tool that supports plant health, improves crop performance, and contributes to more environmentally responsible farming practices.

Technical specifications

• KGS-2 (PGP microbe): A novel facultative endophytic Pseudomonas strain that colonizes crop plants internally and promotes growth. Its PGP capabilities have been demonstrated across multiple monocot and dicot crops.
• KGS-3 (biofungicide): A microbial strain with demonstrated antifungal activity against blackleg, fusarium head blight, and black scurf in both controlled and field-scale trials.
• Co-cultivation capability: Both microbes can be grown together in the same fermentation culture, simplifying production and application.
• Strain identification: A qualitative detection protocol using the cpn60 gene region as a unique genetic marker enables reliable tracking of KGS-2 colonization in crop plants.
• Genome validation: Both KGS-2 and KGS-3 genomes have been fully sequenced, confirming PGP traits and the absence of pathogenic markers.
• Scalability: Both strains can be grown to very high cell densities in fermenters, supporting industrial-scale production.
• Genetic improvement potential: As a Pseudomonas, KGS-2 is expected to be amenable to genetic manipulation using established methods for related Pseudomonads, opening pathways for further strain enhancement.
• Combined application: Greenhouse trials on canola have shown positive effects when both microbes are applied together.

Technology readiness level

KGS-2 and KGS-3 have progressed beyond early laboratory validation. Genome sequencing has confirmed beneficial traits and safety markers for both strains. KGS-3 has been validated as a biofungicide in laboratory studies, greenhouse trials, and larger field demonstration plots. Co-cultivation of both strains has been achieved, and combined application on canola under greenhouse conditions has produced positive results. A strain-specific detection protocol is already in place.

Remaining validation steps include confirming endophytic colonization of KGS-2 across corn and soybean varieties under greenhouse conditions, optimizing high-density fermentation for industrial production, and evaluating yield and disease-pressure outcomes in greenhouse and field trials for both individual and combined applications. The technology is currently at an advanced development stage, ready for expanded field validation and partnership-driven scale-up.