From Synthetic to Bio-Based: Biotech Breakthrough Revives Natural Weed Killer - Phoma macrostoma
- Marc Violo
- Jun 5
- 5 min read
The use of synthetic herbicides like glyphosate and 2,4-D has long supported industrial agriculture in controlling weeds and maintaining high crop productivity. However, ongoing legal disputes and mounting scientific evidence displaying the negative effects of these substances are putting their dominance under scrutiny. The growing environmental and human health concerns along with the emergence of resistant weed species are pressuring the agrochemical industry to deliver novel, safer and more sustainable alternatives to chemical herbicides.
Chemical Herbicides – Harms, Solutions and Challenges
Once hailed as the best and most effective tools in weed control, synthetic herbicides are now the subject of increasing legal and regulatory pressure. The prime example would be the polarizing case of glyphosate (commercially known as RoundUp) – the most widely used herbicide globally. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), sparking global concern about its widespread use. As of May 2025, the US agrochemical giant Monsanto has paid more than $11 billion in nearly 100,000 lawsuit settlements linking non-Hodgkin lymphoma to glyphosate exposure. On the other side of the Atlantic, the recent re-approval of glyphosate by the European Commission also triggered legal backlash, with PAN Europe and its member organisations filing a lawsuit against the decision, deeming that it disregards scientific evidence, and does not adhere to the EU case law on Pesticide Regulation.
But it’s not just legal pressure that’s forcing a re-evaluation of synthetic herbicides. At the moment, the cases of over 270 herbicide-resistant weeds have been reported globally, identifying resistance to 21 out of 31 known sites of herbicide action. Resistant weeds have a significant impact on the industry, causing economic losses counted in billions across the globe, and pushing farmers to increase application rates.
Although biological control is far from a novel approach, it nevertheless renders many new possibilities, supported by the recent breakthroughs in biotechnology. The diverse microbial world offers an untapped source of effective and safe solutions that bring key advantages to the table – inherent biodegradability, specificity, and novel modes of action that aid anti-resistance strategies.
However, the sensitive nature of microbes is a blessing from the perspective of biodegradability and safety, but a curse in terms of stability and reproducibility. While major strides have been made to hack into the biology and genetics of microbes, not so much effort has been put into learning how to produce these organisms at large scales while maintaining their stability and bioactivity. Without robust, cost-effective manufacturing technologies, many promising microbial candidates have remained stuck in the lab. Their potential is clear, but their real-world impact has yet to be realized. That is now beginning to change.
Unlocking Potential – Case Study Phoma
The potential of Phoma macrostoma as a bioherbicide has been recognized for decades. In > 25 years of research and development efforts its effectiveness was demonstrated against a wide range of broadleaf weeds, with minimal impact on grasses and non-target organisms. The scientific data has been unequivocal – the fungus consistently delivers strong, selective herbicidal activity, offering a promising alternative to synthetic broadleaf herbicides. By utilizing a novel mode of action, Phoma acts as a resistance-breaker and a powerful tool for integrated weed management strategies. Upon application, the fungus releases bioactive compounds that disrupt chlorophyll biosynthesis in susceptible weeds. The result is a distinct bleaching effect, followed by a halt in photosynthesis and eventual plant death.
Historic Challenges
In the early 2010s, the bioherbicide was introduced in the Canadian market in a granular formulation. However, it never achieved commercial success. The product required an exceptionally high application rate of over 350 kg per hectare, making it practically unfeasible, especially for large-scale cultivation associated with grass crops and turf. Additionally, as the formulation was restricted to only granular application, it was incompatible with conventional spraying systems, which further limited its flexibility in the field.
The price tag was equally prohibitive. With costs exceeding €1,000 per hectare, the product was far more expensive than farmers could afford, and highly uncompetitive compared to existing solutions. All these challenges – application rate, compatibility, costs – were not caused by the inherent ineffectiveness of the fungus, but rather by limited manufacturing technologies. At the time, Phoma was produced using solid-state fermentation (SSF), a process with known limitations in scalability, reproducibility, and cost efficiency. While suitable for early-stage development, SSF is not able to meet the requirements of industrial-scale production and deliver consistent product quality at competitive costs.
The result of all the scientific and regulatory effort was a technically effective but economically unviable product. As such, despite its proven efficacy and benefits, Phoma was effectively shelved. The product's promise remained untapped, waiting for a breakthrough in manufacturing to make it economically and practically feasible for widespread use.
Evologic is Solving Key Manufacturing Challenges
Evologic Technologies is now leading the charge to bring Phoma macrostoma to the market, overcoming the key manufacturing challenges that previously stalled its commercial potential. With its proprietary biomanufacturing platform, Evologic has unlocked scalable, cost-effective production of Phoma that yields products that delivers on their promises. Their novel approach to fungal fermentation and formulation ensures consistent quality, effectiveness and long-term stability of the final product, making it viable for large-scale agricultural use.
Evologic has made big steps towards transforming Phoma into a market-ready product. By developing a formulation fit for spray application and achieving a 90% reduction in application rate and costs, Evologic has made Phoma a practically feasible product. Evologic has set the goal is to reach one-digit application rate (kg) and costs (€) per hectare, and make Phoma widely commercially available by 2027. This achievement will not only deliver a long-awaited bioherbicide to farmers but also plays a critical role in reducing dependence on harmful agrochemicals and addressing the surging resistance issues. With addressable market size of more than 5 billion Euros, Phoma is set to become not only a sustainability milestone, but also a commercial success delivering broad value.
As the agricultural sector strives to balance productivity with sustainability, Phoma macrostoma – once hindered by manufacturing challenges - is set to become a key player in broadleaf weed management. Owing to Evologic’s pivotal manufacturing technologies and bioprocess expertise, this natural solution is well on its path to deliver the promises of safer, more sustainable and efficient weed control.
