Shaping the Future with Bio-Innovation, Sobel Plant Health Institute(PHI) Launches a New Era in Agriculture

On September 10, 2024, Qingdao Sobel Crop Nutrition Co., Ltd. hosted the prestigious ″Shaping the Future with Bio-Innovation″ Melaleuca National Conference in the scenic city of Qingdao. The event’s centerpiece was the grand opening of the Plant Health Institute (PHI).

The conference attracted over 200 experts, scholars, corporate representatives, and industry leaders from both domestic and international sectors, all gathering to witness this significant moment. The establishment of the PHI marks a major milestone for Sobel in advancing plant health, bringing fresh momentum to drive innovation and foster sustainable development across the industry.

Group photo of the guests

PHI Unveils Startup Strategy and Groundbreaking Projects

Mr. Wan Taibin, Chairman of Qingdao Sobel Crop Nutrition Co., Ltd.

At the conference, Wan Taibin, Chairman of Qingdao Sobel Crop Nutrition Co., Ltd., delivered a keynote speech highlighting the company’s founding vision and future strategic direction. He stressed that the PHI is dedicated to advancing plant nutrition and biological control, guided by core principles of deep agricultural involvement, innovation-driven growth, practical application, and collaborative success.

The strategic plan includes expanding PHI’s three main departments—biological, chemical, and bioassay—to a team of 500. The focus will be on advancing industrial research in biological control and managing abiotic stress, while also strengthening international collaborations. Chairman Wan reaffirmed his long-term commitment to China’s agricultural development, vowing to provide high-efficiency products and solutions for the industry.

Biological Department

Dr. Liu Mengjie(left) , associate professor, master's supervisor Qingdao Agricultural University 

Dr. Wu Zuodong (middle), R&D engineer of PHI's biological department

Dr. Ma Xin (right) , chief R&D engineer of PHI's biological department

Dr. Liu Mengjie, Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at Qingdao Agricultural University, introduced one of the three core projects at PHI’s Biological Department: dsRNA Technology. This project aims to enhance plant tolerance to environmental stresses, such as low temperatures and salt stress through RNA interference technology.

By designing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that targets negative regulatory factors in plant stress responses, the institute aims to develop next-generation strategies for improving plant resilience. Multiple genes have already been identified as potential targets, and RNA design and evaluation are currently in progress. Additionally, the institute is exploring various RNA delivery methods to improve stability and efficiency in plants.

Dr. Wu Zuodong, R&D Engineer at PHI’s Biological Department, introduced the second core project: Synthetic Biology. The current focus is on producing biostimulants such as astaxanthin, which can improve plant stress resistance and yield. The institute is using brewer’s yeast as a chassis cell, reconstructing metabolic pathways, and optimizing fermentation processes to boost astaxanthin production.

Additionally, they are exploring the activation of silent gene clusters to discover new active ingredients, which hold potential for use in agriculture to enhance plant resistance and promote sustainable agricultural development.

Dr. Ma Xin, Chief R&D Engineer at PHI’s Biological Department, presented the third core project: Targeted Enzymatic Hydrolysis Technology. The institute is researching the extraction of marine bioactive compounds with the goal of discovering and producing new biostimulants to address plant stress issues.

Through this technology, active oligosaccharides are extracted from seaweed, and active oligopeptides are derived from marine fish. These compounds have the potential to improve plant resistance and promote growth.

Chemical Department

Hao Feifei (left), R&D engineer of PHI Chemical Department

Liu Yan (right), R&D engineer of PHI Chemical Department

Hao Feifei, R&D Engineer at PHI’s Chemical Department, presented research on highly bioactive organic acids, using humic acid as a primary example. The department’s research covers the characterization of raw materials, comparative analysis of molecular weight and functional group content, and testing of cation exchange capacity to ensure the product’s effectiveness.

Hao also outlined future research directions for the PHI Chemical Department, which include studying the applications and mechanisms of humic acid, alginic acid, and amino acids in plant stress resistance, as well as exploring new methods for synthesizing organic acids through microbial and chemical processes.

Liu Yan, also an R&D Engineer at PHI’s Chemical Department, introduced the application of small-molecule humic acid in fertilizer formulation research. The institute has already generated several patents and developed humic acid-based products in eight key areas, including aqueous solutions, slow-release fertilizers, foliar sprays, ultra-low volume sprayers, and seed treatment agents.

These innovations aim to boost crop growth efficiency, improve soil structure, enhance plant resistance, and increase fertilizer utilization. Looking ahead, the PHI Chemical Department plans to further advance research on humic acid formulations, integrating various dosage forms with self-developed ingredients to provide farmers with more efficient and environmentally friendly fertilization systems.

Bioassay Department

Dr. Qian Jiaqi (left), R&D engineer of PHI Bio-Testing Department

Zhou Yongqiang (right), manager of Guangxi Sobel Branch

Dr. Qian Jiaqi, R&D Engineer at PHI’s Bioassay Department, explained the department’s four-tier screening system. Through single-factor, multi-factor, and multi-level tests, they simulate various environmental conditions for high-throughput screening. The department conducts indoor cultivation, simulated stress tests, multi-dimensional trials across various crops and biogenesis, as well as physiological and biochemical tests such as root scanning.

The goal is to screen tens of thousands of active substances to identify the most effective ones. The Bioassay Department places great emphasis on long-term, multi-location experiments conducted over two years in eight different regions, under varying climatic conditions. This approach ensures the accuracy of data and broad applicability of their products.

Zhou Yongqiang, a member of PHI’s Bioassay team and Manager of Sobel’s Guangxi branch, shared how Sobel has successfully turned research outcomes into productivity gains through experimental farms, overcoming many challenges along the way. He recounted his experience as one of the first master’s students involved in the experimental farm, personally overseeing every step from planning and construction to planting.

Zhou highlighted the department’s deep focus on water-fertilizer integration, precision fertilization strategies, and reducing chemical fertilizer use. These efforts have not only improved banana yield and quality but also contributed to sustainable agricultural production.

Guests toured the Qingdao Sobel PHI during the meeting.

The successful conclusion of the ″Shaping the Future with Bio-Innovation″ conference marks the official launch of the PHI.

This milestone represents a significant advancement for Sobel in the plant health sector and establishes a crucial foundation for the future of global agriculture.

As the centerpiece of the conference, the inauguration of the PHI signals Sobel’s commitment to advancing scientific research and innovation in biological control, abiotic stress response, and plant nutrition.

Moving forward, the institute will drive agricultural science and technology innovation through team expansion, international collaboration, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies.

Sobel remains dedicated to an innovation-driven approach and cooperative success, aiming to promote sustainable agricultural development, provide efficient and eco-friendly solutions, and usher in a new era for modern agriculture.

About Qingdao Sobel Crop Nutrition Co., Ltd.

Qingdao Sobel Crop Nutrition Co., Ltd. is an international technology enterprise specializing in crop nutrition research, production, and sales. The company collaborates extensively with global leaders in specialty fertilizers, including SQM, Nouryon, Adome, and UPL, and is a leading provider of specialty water-soluble fertilizers in China. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in the picturesque city of Qingdao, Sobel operates five branches and boasts a skilled professional team of over 100 across the country.