Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. announce positive second year trial results demonstrating the efficacy of BVT's proprietary biological control agent Clonostachys rosea strain CR-7 (CR-7) as a seed treatment on soybeans. Compared to the first-year trials, the second-year included measuring CR-7's effect on soybean yields. Year 2 trial data established that adding CR-7 over base seed treatment results in soybean plants producing higher yields as measured over 16 replicated plots across four locations when compared to the biological standard, and that CR-7 was equivalent to the chemical standard in terms of effectiveness.

Other measures on plant health, vigor and plant biomass showed the same positive outcomes as in the first year, indicating the scalability of BVT's proprietary CR-7 in the soybean seed treatment market. Year 1 and 2 trials were conducted in partnership with well-established soybean researchers in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, with a fourth location in Nebraska added in 2022 and resulted in consistently positive results year over year across all the states that have had trials so far. The 2022 trials continued assessing the efficacy of CR-7 added over base seed treatment on plant biomass and vigor, and demonstrated its effectiveness as a treatment against disease and soybean crop yields.

The seed treatment market is specialized, with different and distinct channels in the major growing regions. A deep understanding of the genetics of seed varieties, and access to the distinct channels, including relationships with seed companies, are important to successfully penetrate the market. BVT intends to partner with seed treatment companies who have the expertise and channel access to accelerat reach into this soybean acreage.

BVT believes future licensing agreements hold potential for significant annual royalties from this application. Second year trial results also confirmed that adding CR-7 over base seed treatment led to plants being healthier in the vegetative stage - when leaves, stems and roots are growing to support the flowering and reproductive stages. Year 2 data also reconfirmed CR-7's effectiveness against Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS), a significant problem caused by Fusarium virguliforme, a soil-borne pathogen that attacks soybean roots and lower stems, affecting flowers and young pods and resulting in significant yield loss.