PlantArcBio Gene Trials Double Corn Yields Under Drought Conditions

The 2026 field trials in Israel evaluated 200 plots, testing genes discovered via the company’s Direct In Plant platform. Unlike traditional laboratory-based gene discovery, this process screens millions of candidates directly in living plants under environmental stress. During the April-to-August growth cycle, corn carrying these genes maintained uniform flowering and vigorous leaf growth, while control plants struggled to keep pace. By harvest, the experimental hybrids showed more than triple the total cob weight compared to controls under irrigation, with similar performance gains under sustained drought conditions.

These results arrive as global agriculture faces mounting pressure from heat and water scarcity. The USDA recently lowered its 2026 U.S. corn yield forecast to 178.5 bushels per acre, citing significant production declines in states like Kansas and Nebraska. With the FAO estimating that disasters—primarily drought—cost the global agricultural sector approximately $123 billion annually, the potential for a 20% increase in yield could represent a massive shift in food security. Dr. Dror Shalitin, founder and CEO of PlantArcBio, noted that the field data confirms earlier trial findings and provides a scalable solution for seed companies looking to integrate these traits into their elite germplasm. The firm is now actively seeking licensing partnerships to deploy these genes across diverse geographies.