TMG to invest BRL2 billion in genomics, phenomics, and big data for seed development by 2031

TMG (Tropical Melhoramento e Genética) revealed to AgroPages its projected investments of BRL2 billion (US$341.5 million) by 2031 in advanced technologies to accelerate cultivar development. 

According to the Brazilian company, the funds will be invested in genomics, phenomics, drones, and Big Data to "optimize genetic improvement and obtain more productive and resilient cultivars for future challenges."

TMG points out that genetic improvement's role is to map the challenges that will affect crops in the coming decades. From 2006 to 2023, Brazil saw a 74% growth in soybean production with genetically modified seeds, according to CropLife.

"This expansion reflects producers' pursuit of greater efficiency and profitability, with profits per hectare that can be up to 7% higher than those of conventional varieties. To maintain this upward curve, continuous investments in science and innovation are necessary," said the Brazilian company.

José Flávio, TMG's Research Manager, explained that the technologies in the field today were designed more than a decade ago. "Genetic improvement is always focused on the future. Current demands guide research, but we need to predict how these challenges will evolve over the years," the specialist projected.

In addition to meeting future demands, the technology applied to the genetic improvement process has also evolved over the years to accelerate cultivar development. José Flávio highlighted the use of resources such as genomics and phenomics for faster and more precise selection, such as in corn hybrids.

José Flávio commented that genomic technology allows for the precise identification of molecular markers—specific segments of DNA linked to characteristics such as pest resistance and productivity. "With molecular markers, we can predict the performance of a lineage or hybrid based on the genetic profile, without the need for years of field tests," he explained.

According to TMG's Research Manager, it is also important to highlight that the use of Big Data and large-scale analyses amplifies the efficiency of the phenotyping process. "Due to the genetic variability of plants, this work generates a large volume of data," pointed out José Flávio.

"At TMG, for example, we have developed a database that gathers information on plant behavior against diseases, productivity, resistance to climatic conditions, and molecular data. With this system, we can analyze about 900,000 plant samples per year, of which approximately 80,000 are selected for phenotyping. The use of drones and algorithms for large-scale image analysis makes it possible to identify lineages and hybrids quickly, increasing data accuracy," he said.

According to José Flávio, another important component is the study of specific environments, such as climate variations and soil characteristics, in the regions where the hybrids will be grown. "This regionalized mapping allows for the creation of planting recommendations adjusted to local particularities, promoting greater security and adaptability of the materials to the diverse agricultural production conditions in Brazil," he said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)