Dr. Kuide (“Kwey-deh”) Qin is the Chief Science Officer at Verdesian Life Sciences in North Carolina. Kuide leads R&D and new product development for nutrient use efficiency technologies to make farming more efficient, more sustainable and more profitable. Prior to Verdesian, Kuide held scientist and leadership roles at Dow AgroSciences, and at Bayer Crop Science for leading the efforts to develop and transfer technologies in agricultural chemicals and in spray application equipment from the lab to the field. He has also worked with novel technology and IP assessment, product positioning and business development, initiating innovation programs and launching programs to improve return on R&D investment.

Kuide is a member of the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). He has also been serving for more than nine years on the International Standard Organization (ISO)’s Equipment for Crop Protection committee to help bring economic and business benefits to the growers in the U.S. and globally.

I have an educational background in chemical engineering, formulation science, soil science, and agricultural business management, with a Ph.D. focusing on colloid and surface chemistry research from the University of Florida. My journey into agricultural research and development began during my undergraduate studies, where I worked on a project to convert ammonia from the Haber-Bosch process into other nitrogen fertilizer forms for easier transport and storage. This experience sparked a passion for transforming scientific knowledge into practical solutions. For over 20 years after my Ph.D., I have dedicated my career to translating cutting-edge research into tangible agricultural advancements. My current work focuses on developing and implementing innovative strategies to enhance nutrient use efficiency and promote sustainable agriculture.

2. What are the key challenges in nutrient use efficiency (NUE) technology development, and how is Verdesian addressing them?

 

Developing innovative NUE solutions faces many challenges. The critical ones are:

Verdesian addresses these challenges by conducting extensive field trials across all major target market regions to validate lab/greenhouse findings and ensure product reliability. We invest in rigorous testing protocols and collaborate with university researchers and agricultural experts to optimize the products for different conditions. This approach helps ensure that our NUE technologies are both effective in real-world settings and consistently perform well for farmers.

By focusing on both chemical and biological approaches, Verdesian aims to provide farmers with tools that enhance crop yields while reducing environmental impact. Verdesian has made significant advancements in NUE technology with recently launched products like Phree-uP and Seed+Graphite:

Verdesian’s ongoing investments in research to develop bio-based products that enhance soil health and nutrient availability underscores our commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and improving global food production efficiency.

Data analytics and precision agriculture are integral to Verdesian’s strategy for nutrient use efficiency (NUE). By leveraging data analytics, we analyze field-specific data to optimize product application rates and timing, tailoring solutions to meet crop needs effectively. Precision agriculture techniques enable precise placement of NUE products, maximizing their effectiveness while minimizing environmental impact. This data-driven approach ensures that farmers can achieve enhanced crop yields efficiently and sustainably, aligning with Verdesian’s commitment to advancing agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship.

NUE technologies, particularly biostimulants and biologicals, hold significant promise for enhancing global food security by improving crop yields while reducing environmental impact. As these technologies evolve, they can help optimize nutrient use efficiency, mitigate resource constraints, and sustainably increase agricultural productivity.

At Verdesian, we are actively contributing to this vision through several initiatives:

Through these efforts, Verdesian aims to empower farmers worldwide with tools and knowledge to achieve higher yields sustainably, ultimately contributing to global food security in a changing climate and resource-constrained world.