A new Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) technology has been developed by Arcadia Biosciences, Davis CA. The technology has been tested and proven in canola over multiple seasons and locations, and it is currently being tested in rice with early positive results. Arcadia expects NUE technology to provide the cotton industry with a new tool to maximize the genetic potential of new cotton varieties while minimizing the impact to the environment by reducing nitrogen requirements. In multiple canola trials, NUE technology showed savings of up to 30% in applied nitrogen while maintaining yields when compared with the control. Alternatively, when normal levels of nitrogen were applied to NUE canola, yield increases of up to 20% over the conventional canola varieties were observed.

Arcadia is currently working with commercial partners to bring NUE to the market in cotton and other major crops.