Above Food Ingredients’ subsidiary, Discovery Seed Labs, in Collaboration with BASF Canada, Develops Solution for Testing Disease Resistance in Lentils

REGINA, Saskatchewan, Aug. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- () (“Above Food” or the “Company”), an innovative food company leveraging its vertically integrated supply chain to deliver differentiated ingredients and consumer products, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Discovery Seed Labs, a company with unmatched expertise in seed testing, in collaboration with BASF Canada Inc. (“BASF”), has successfully developed a quantitative molecular assay to detect Group 11 resistance in anthracnose disease affecting lentil crops.

This innovative test comes at a crucial time for lentil growers, particularly in Saskatchewan, where recent research by BASF indicates widespread Group 11 resistant anthracnose. The study found that 99% of sampled fields showed some level of resistance, with 66% of fields exhibiting over 80% resistance.

“We’re excited to announce this development which amplifies our disruptive agriculture business and strengthens our comprehensive differentiated seed-to-fork platform,” said Lionel Kambeitz, Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Chairman of Above Food. “By accurately identifying resistant strains, growers can make more informed decisions about disease management and fungicide use, saving costs and improving yields. This innovation not only supports our growers in producing high-quality, disease-resistant crops but also reinforces our position as a leader in furthering disruptive agriculture solutions.”

The new assay can detect Group 11 resistant anthracnose in both plant and seed samples, providing valuable data for implementing targeted and effective disease management strategies. This is particularly important given that anthracnose infection rates and disease progression are influenced by various factors, including climate conditions, crop rotation, lentil variety, fungicide use, and residue management.

If you are interested in testing and require additional information, please reach out to Above Food via email at  or by phone at 306-249-4484. Testing is provided independent of BASF.

About Above Food

() is an ingredient company that celebrates delicious products made with real, nutritious, flavorful ingredients delivered with transparency. Above Food’s vision is to create a healthier world — one seed, one field, and one bite at a time. With a robust chain of custody of plant proteins, enabled by scaled operations and infrastructure in primary agriculture and processing, and proprietary seed development capabilities that leverage the power of artificial intelligence-driven genomics, Above Food delivers nutritious foods to businesses and consumers with traceability and sustainability. Above Food’s consumer products and brands are available online at and in leading grocers across Canada and the United States.

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