Syngenta Developed MicroRNA Technology to Boost Crop Yields
The company has demonstrated yield increases of up to 10% in international trials and plans a 2027 commercial rollout.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Botany
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Syngenta has developed a biological technology known as EXORT that utilizes plant-derived microRNAs to modulate biological signaling mechanisms. The company announced the results of 240 field trials conducted between 2022 and 2025, which confirmed yield improvements.
Why it matters
By fine-tuning processes like grain growth and fruit development, this technology aims to increase agricultural output using minimal active compounds. It represents a shift toward precise biological interventions in crop science.
The application requires only 50mg of active compound per hectare, or 100g of total formulated product. Trials recorded a maximum yield increase of 740kg of rice per hectare compared to untreated control groups.
The players
Syngenta
A global agribusiness major focused on crop protection chemicals, seeds, and biological research using genomics and bioinformatics.
The details
Syngenta utilizes genomics and bioinformatics to isolate naturally occurring microRNAs — small, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. Through high-throughput phenotyping — the use of automated systems to observe and measure plant physical traits — the company identifies specific extracts that generate repeatable physiological changes. These molecules are then applied to crops to influence growth signaling pathways.
Timeline
2022 to 2025: Syngenta conducted 240 field trials across 15 countries.
2027: The company plans a first commercial launch in Latin America.
The Tech Race
This development marks a significant move from traditional RNA interference applications in pest control toward the direct stimulation of plant metabolism. It places Syngenta at the forefront of the race to commercialize small-molecule biologicals for yield optimization.
Farmers in Latin America will gain access to the technology during the 2027 rollout, providing a new method to enhance crop density per hectare. Adoption will likely depend on the price-to-yield ratio compared to existing fertilizers and growth regulators.
The takeaway
The use of microRNAs to steer plant physiology offers a low-volume, high-precision alternative to traditional yield-enhancement inputs. Industry stakeholders should monitor the 2027 launch in Latin America to verify if these controlled trial results hold under large-scale commercial conditions.
What happens next
Syngenta is preparing for a commercial launch of the EXORT product line in Latin American markets, which is scheduled for 2027.
Further reading
For more developments in plant-based biological research, visit the Botany section.
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