CJ BIO, a Korean BIO Leader, Develops Biocontrol Solutions Based on Microbial Library of Unrivaled Scale

CJ BIO is the biotechnology and solution business unit of CJ CheilJedang, a global leading food and bio-material company in South Korea. CJ BIO focuses on fostering its Plant Nutrition & Health (PNH) business, expanding its strategic partnership in the agricultural industries by leveraging its advanced research and development capabilities in bio-based materials and microbes.

With over 60 years of experience in strain development and fermentation technologies, CJ BIO has successfully delivered microbial products of exceptional efficacy in only a short period of time. Specific functions can be efficiently selected, due to CJ BIO’s extensive microbial library and advanced automated systems, such as the robot-arm, ″HTS″ (High-throughput Screening). These systems have enabled CJ BIO’s team of experts, including fermentation, plant and biological data scientists, to screen powerful microbes that can replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In addition to supporting plant growth in the field, they developed large-scale fermentation systems and designed stable microbial products with a high cell density. They have also created optimized strains with better performance in the field. At the same time, large-scale field evaluations are underway with various international research institutions, including some from South Korea.

Scope of Biocontrol Further Expanded with an Extensive Microbial Library and Cutting-edge Technologies, such as Automated System

CJ BIO has successfully identified many strains with outstanding control effects on pathogens and major diseases in row crops, such as soybeans, corn and rice, as well as horticultural crops, such as cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers. For example, during greenhouse trials, CJ BIO has confirmed control values ranging from 55% to 75% against major crop diseases, such as Phytophthora stem rot, Rhizoctonia damping-off, Fusarium wilt, angular leaf spot, bacterial soft rot and anthracnose. Such results far exceed the average control value of other commercial microbial pesticides, which remains at 34%. 

To verify the effects of CJ BIO products against various plant diseases in South Korea, a series of field tests were recently carried out, which resulted in remarkable control effects in all target diseases. Most notably, the tested products showed 20%, 24% and 27% higher control values than other products in the market for tomato gray mold, pepper damping-off and strawberry Fusarium wilt, respectively. Additionally, it was also confirmed that these microbial pesticides can be used in combination with chemical pesticides without sacrificing efficacy.

Effects Proven in Large Plantations 

In Southeast Asia, field trials were conducted to study the control of major diseases affecting row crops, such as rice, and large-scale plantations for plants, such as oil palm. In countries like Indonesia, where the temperature and humidity are high all year-round, paddy rice is highly susceptible to bacterial diseases, such as bacterial leaf blight. Our studies show that Whiterid^® reduced disease incidences by as much as 10% compared to infected farms, and increased yield by 140-290% depending on the season.

In the case of basal stem rot (BSR), caused by Ganoderma boninense that infects oil palm, a major crop in Malaysia, the entire older palm trees must be removed. However, in many cases, the infection is difficult to spot due to the vast scale of such plantations. Ganoshield^® is a microbial pesticide that prevents the spread of Ganoderma, which infects plants through soil, reducing Ganoderma inoculum numbers in the soil by as much as 50% and increasing yields by 20%.

Unique Formulation with Induced Resistance Further Enhances Control

In terms of biocontrol, CJ BIO did not only focus on controlling target pathogens. Researchers at CJ also conducted research and studies to strengthen the biofilm formation capabilities of microbials. This unique strain suppresses the infestation and proliferation of pathogens by forming a protective film on the surface of plants. CJ BIO researchers also developed a unique formulation with induced resistance that enhances control effects. It effectively suppresses various diseases by inducing disease resistance in plants. When combined with this formulation, microbials showed 11%-point higher disease suppression than when used alone. Such combinations of functions can greatly help achieve effective prevention of the spread of diseases in the field.

Microbial Fertilizers: Sustainable Solution for Nitrogen Fertilizers 

CJ BIO has already achieved exceptional success in the field of microbial fertilizers, which have proven to be highly effective in reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. In Brazil, one of the most crucial markets for inoculants, CJ BIO has demonstrated the significant impact of microbial fertilizers on soybean farms. Through their proprietary screening microbial library and optimization of strains and formulation, CJ BIO has improved the performance of inoculants for soybean cultivation. Test results showed that soybeans grown with CJ BIO’s product marked a 43% increase in root nodule formation and a 14% higher yield compared to those using other competing products in Brazil.

In addition to Bradyrhizobium applicable for soybeans, CJ BIO is also actively working on the development and commercialization of Azospirillum for row crops, such as corn, wheat and rice. As well as enhancing productivity as confirmed through internal validation, the viability of microbials has also been enhanced, to ensure stable quality even under various climate conditions.

CJ BIO Is Ready to Support Passionate Partners

CJ BIO is committed to providing innovative forms of agricultural solutions that are in line with ongoing ESG trends through partnerships, and is ready to fully support passionate partners who are sincere in realizing such innovation and changes. 

For more details on potential partnerships with CJ BIO, please send your inquiry to CJ BIO’s official email account (plantnh@cj.net).