As part of the Tribiome project, innovative in vitro assays are being used to rapidly screen biostimulant candidates. This approach provides a fast, reproducible, and cost-effective method to assess plant growth, resilience, and stress response—accelerating the development of sustainable agricultural solutions.
The potential of in vitro wheat culture
At Valgenetics, we leverage advanced in vitro techniques to grow wheat grains in controlled environments. In less than a month, these grains not only germinate but also display remarkable physiological development. This includes the emergence of multiple leaves, secondary roots, and even the emergence of tillers. These growth characteristics serve as measurable indicators of plant health and overall development.
By cultivating wheat in vitro, we create a reproducible platform for testing different treatments. Comparing plantlets grown under varying conditions allows us to identify treatments that enhance growth or pinpoint those that might hinder it. This method provides an efficient first step in evaluating the potential of various compounds in a controlled and cost-effective manner.
Biostimulants can be tested in vitro
Biostimulants have emerged as an essential component of sustainable agriculture, offering the potential to improve crop growth, resilience, and productivity without relying on synthetic chemicals. These products, which are derived from microbes, algae, or plant extracts, can enhance nutrient uptake, stimulate plant metabolism, and improve stress tolerance.
Biostimulants discovered and characterized within the Tribiome project can be tested using our in vitro wheat culture system as a rapid screening tool. This approach allows us to test a broad array of biostimulant candidates in a short timeframe. By analyzing their effects on key physiological parameters—such as root length, leaf count, and biomass production—we can quickly identify the most promising compounds. Only the top-performing biostimulants progress to the next stages of testing in Tribiome, such as the expected pot trials or field trials, which are more time-consuming and expensive.
Simulating environmental stressors in vitro
In addition to testing growth-promoting treatments, our in vitro platform is designed to mimic environmental stress conditions. Using a sterile culture medium, we can introduce stress agents to simulate drought or osmotic stress. This allows us to recreate the impacts of climate change in a controlled environment, enabling precise evaluation of biostimulants under challenging conditions.
By testing biostimulants on stressed plantlets, we gain valuable insights into their ability to mitigate stress-related effects. For example, we can measure whether a specific treatment improves root resilience, maintains growth under limited water availability, or enhances overall plant survival.
In conclusion, our colaboration in Tribiome provides a rapid, cost-effective platform that supports the growing demand for innovative agricultural solutions. From initial in vitro screening to pot trial application, Valgenetics is committed to accelerating the testing and development of next-generation biostimulants that will shape the future of agriculture.
Want to know more?
Contact catherine.malingreau@wagralim.be or Follow the project’s LinkedIn page