BioLumic and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have launched field trials in the Philippines testing light-activated seed technology designed to help farmers protect rice yields while cutting water use and methane emissions in direct-seeded systems. The program advances the technology toward commercial deployment across major rice-growing regions, with support from the Gates Foundation.
BioLumic’s xTraits™ platform uses light to activate or suppress gene expression in seeds without chemical inputs or genetic modification. By harnessing photomorphogenesis as a natural biological switch, xTraits unlocks trait potential already present within the seed, enabling targeted trait activation without changing on-farm growing practices.
In 2025, BioLumic became the first company to commercially deploy light-activated traits in a U.S. seed production facility. The first xTraits-enabled hybrids were planted at commercial scale in 2026 following validation across thousands of field trials, demonstrating a programmable, non-GMO approach designed for climate-smart agriculture.
Advancing climate-smart rice, non-GMO rice traits from field to market
In partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the 15-month pilot program will provide first-stage field validation of xTraits applications designed to improve establishment and performance in direct-seeded rice systems (DSR). The trials are intended to support the proof of concept for future multi-location testing and integration into commercial seed portfolios in India and across South Asia, with broader implications for climate-smart rice production globally.
“For farmers across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, reliable crop establishment is often the difference between adopting new practices versus conventional transplanted-flooded rice,” said Dr. Jason Wargent, Chief Science Officer and founder of BioLumic. “These trials with IRRI are about proving that our unique Light Recipes can help make direct-seeded rice a practical commercial option at scale.”
DSR is a lower-water, lower-emission alternative to traditional flooded rice production, particularly across South Asia where water scarcity and labor constraints are increasing pressure on farmers. Rice cultivation accounts for more than 8% of global anthropogenic methane emissions, and organizations including IRRI and FAO estimate that climate-smart DSR systems could reduce methane emissions by 30–45%. However, adoption has been limited by inconsistent crop establishment and concerns about maintaining reliable yields under variable field conditions. BioLumic’s xTraits aim to improve early vigor and stand uniformity so farmers can reduce water use without sacrificing productivity.
