BioLumic’s UV light treatments for seeds promise productivity revolution

Miriam Bell interviewed BioLumic chief science officer Jason Wargent for The Post about how the Palmerston North–founded biotech company is transforming global agriculture with its pioneering xTraits™ for seeds. BioLumic’s "world-first" technology activates natural biological processes in crops like ryegrass, corn, and rice, boosting growth, resilience, and yield without genetic modification. This sustainable approach shortens the time and cost needed to develop new plant traits, offering a breakthrough alternative to conventional breeding or genetic engineering.

Wargent explained that BioLumic's innovations are being commercialised internationally — including corn seed treatments in the U.S. and rice projects in India to reduce methane emissions — while New Zealand field trials focus on ryegrass traits to improve milk production and environmental outcomes. Supported by partners like Fonterra, AgriZero, and government agencies, BioLumic’s success highlights how New Zealand's research ecosystem can help green businesses scale globally.

Read the full article from The Post here: https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360886953/profit-planet-biolumics-uv-light-treatments-seeds-promise-productivity-revolution