The Edison Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of Innovation,” recognize products that solve real-world problems through cutting-edge science and social impact. This year, Corteva Agriscience secured a double victory, taking home the gold Edison Award for its microbial nutrient enhancer Utrisha N and the bronze Edison Award for its next-generation fungicide Adavelt active.
According to Tim Davies, bioprocess science and technology leader for Corteva Agriscience, these accolades validate a natural solution that benefits everyone from the field to the dinner table.
“I think one of the things that resonates … is that this is a natural solution that helps farmers increase yields, which reduces the cost of products for consumers and has an impact both for the farmer but also environmentally as well,” Davies says.
Utrisha N: Gold-Standard Microbial
Winning the gold award, Utrisha N is a biological product that allows plants to capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form. While initially widely adopted in row crops like corn and soy, Davies notes that the product is quickly becoming a powerhouse for specialty growers, particularly in high-stakes markets like California.
One of the standout features of Utrisha N is its Organic Materials Review Institute registration, making it a vital tool for both organic and conventional growers.
“It is OMRI registered, so it can be used by conventional farmers and organic farmers alike,” Davies says. “One of the areas where we’ve had very good results is in potatoes, where farmers are seeing significantly improved yields by adding [Utrisha N].”
With global fertilizer prices remaining volatile, Utrisha N acts as a nutrient enhancer that works alongside traditional nitrogen practices. Davies notes that in more than 1,000 internal and farmer-partner trials, the product successfully increased yields in more than 80% of cases.
Adavelt Active: Bronze-Level Crop Protection
In the highly competitive crop protection category, Adavelt active secured the Bronze. While Utrisha N represents the biological side of the portfolio, Adavelt showcases Corteva’s technical prowess in traditional chemistry.
The goal, according to Davies, is not to choose one method over the other but rather to provide specialty growers with a balanced toolkit.
“What we’re working on, really, at Corteva, is to use all of our technical abilities to provide the best outcomes for farmers,” Davies says. “Whether it’s a traditional chemical or a biological, both have their place in the market, and both can provide great benefits for farmers in the right place when they deploy them in the right way.”
Bringing Award-Winning Tech to the Specialty Market
With Utrisha N already registered in over 50 countries, Corteva is now focused on expanding its reach into more specialty acres. By generating rigorous agronomic data, the company aims to give specialty growers the peace of mind they need to invest in new technology.
“Farmers need confidence that when they spend money on a product, it’s going to work,” Davies says. “We’re working hard to increase those confidence levels.”
As Corteva continues to roll out these award-winning solutions, the company says it will continue providing the right technology at the right time to ensure a more resilient and productive future for specialty agriculture.
