H2020 XTOnE Project: Using the extremophile bacterium XT1 in a biological approach to promote plant growth and combat pathogens
- Type Project
- Status Filled
- Execution 2017 -2017
- Assigned Budget 50.000,00 €
- Scope Europeo
- Main source of financing H2020
- Project website XTOnE
During the 6-month period granted by the European Commission, XTREM BIOTECH, SL has carried out the following tasks:
- Market, sector, competitor, customer segment, channel, end user and stakeholder research;
- Calculation of the overall economic benefits of the solution compared to current market methods and through an economic feasibility analysis;
- Toxicity and ecotoxicity tests to determine the biosafety of strains;
- Initial approach to regulatory requirements to ensure product compliance;
- Identify the best regulatory pathway to ensure compliance with the European Pesticides Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009 and the Spanish Fertilizer Regulation 2003/2003 (once revised); and ensure an appropriate strategy for the registration of biostimulants and compliance with national regulations;
- Preliminary analysis of freedom to operate
- Preparation of the Business Plan.
Verticillium wilt is a soil-borne fungal disease caused by the organism Verticillium dahliae. It is one of the most serious diseases of olive trees worldwide because it can kill trees and is difficult or impossible to control. The presence of high levels of certain strains of Verticillium in the soil renders the land unusable for olive cultivation. Symptoms appear as wilting, leaf curl, chlorosis, defoliation, and dead brown leaves that remain attached to the branches. In large trees, one or more branches suddenly wilt early in the growing season. The disease usually worsens as the season progresses. Yield in infected trees is low. In very young trees, the entire tree begins to look pale and stops growing. The leaves wilt, and the tree may die. Browning of the xylem tissue does not occur in olive wood as it does in other species. The most common symptom in all trees infected by Verticillium is chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves) followed by defoliation. In some cases, highly susceptible cultivars exhibit defoliation without leaf chlorosis. Occasionally, sudden wilting, leaf curl, and chlorosis are observed simultaneously.
The cultivation and planting of new olive trees (the most susceptible) is booming due to the growing demand for olive oil from consumers around the world, owing to its health and culinary properties. This, coupled with the lack of profitability in field crops such as wheat and barley due to increasing drought, makes it urgent to find safe solutions to increase production.
This project seeks to validate with olive growers the demand for a solution, how and when to implement it, its economic viability, and an accessible profitability plan for olive growers, including a business model for leveraging the technology throughout the entire value chain.
Ensuring sustainable food production while preserving ecosystem services has become imperative due to population growth and the growing need for environmental protection. Traditional agricultural methods must undergo changes to meet these challenges.
One of the main threats to global food security is plant diseases, commonly treated with chemicals responsible for toxic effects and disruptions to biodiversity.
This project proposes XTOnE, an organic alternative to chemical products based on the patented extremophile bacterium XT1, whose innovative concept is based on the unique characteristics of this microorganism. XT1 activates plant-induced mechanisms that increase their self-defense against pathogens and external stresses, stimulating efficiency and nutrient uptake, and improving growth and quality.
The expected result is a product that acts simultaneously as a biostimulant, biofertilizer, and organic pest control, whose benefits for plants are preserved even under extreme conditions.
XTOnE meets farmers' needs by ensuring plant protection throughout their entire lifecycle and reducing losses. It can be grown on organic waste, allowing for the reuse of leftovers and unleashing agricultural potential to achieve Circular Economy goals.
Its first application will be against a global fungal disease, Verticillium, which attacks more than 200 species and primarily affects Europe. XTOnE attracted the interest of companies with European and international presence due to the lack of a similar solution. Thanks to its ease of use and affordable price, it is expected to have commercial potential at the European and global levels.
In the Feasibility Study, Xtrem Biotech aims to assess end-user needs and the economic benefits of the innovation. The optimal regulatory and protection roadmap will be defined, along with associated activities to be developed through potential Phase 2 funding to ensure commercialization.
After six months of technological development, satisfactory results have been achieved in terms of in vitro and field testing, reduced scale-up costs, compatibility with other traditional agricultural inputs, and market/investor validation. The success of this technology will align with the European strategy to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and will lead to safer and more sustainable agricultural production, a trend confirmed by all market forecasts.
- XTREM BIOTECH SL