b'GLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATIONGLOBAL INNOVATION SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 thPLACE PLACE PLACE PLACELIGHTING UP SEED INNOVATIONHow BioLumics UV technology is reshaping trait development.By Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. EditorWHEN JASON WARGENTstarted BioLumic, he didnt know exactly how the company would change the world. He just knew it could.Ive always believed we could make an impact, says Wargent, BioLumics founder and chief science officer. But the breakthroughs were making nowthose werent even imaginable when we started.BioLumic, a 2025 runner-up in the Seed World Global Innovation Showdown, has created a groundbreak-ing seed trait platform powered by light. Its technology, which activates traits using short, targeted bursts of UV and visible light, is not only transforming how seeds growits transforming how seed com-panies think about innovation.Were controlling gene expression with light, Wargent explains. Were acti-vating entire pathways that already exist in the plant, and were doing it instantly. Theres no gene editing, no chemicals, and no regulatory delay.This approach, known as xTrait (short for Genetic Expression Trait) technology, taps into photomorphogenesisplants natural response to light that drives development throughout the lifecycle. With Light Signal Recipes, BioLumic uses brief, precise combinations of UV light as a natural programming language for plants that can boost root mass, increase yield, improve plant immunity and even reduce methane emissions in livestock feed crops. These treatments dont alter DNA. Instead, they awaken whats already there.Were discovering just how much untapped potential exists in every plant,BioLumic is treating inbred corn lines using proprietary light recipes before they enter seed Wargent says. We believe nearly everyproduction.PHOTO: BIOLUMICINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2025SEEDWORLD.COM /25'