ABOUT SOIL SALINIZATION
What is Soil Salinization ?
Soil salization is an excessive accumulation of water-soluble salts (sodium chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfates, chlorides, carbohydrates, and bicarbonates).
Where does this phenomenen occur ?
FAO’s Global Map of Salt-Affected Soils reveals that over 1381 million hectares, 10.7% of global land on the planet, are affected.
This is equvilent to between 25-30% of irrigated lands are salt-affected and essentially commercially unproductive, with Australia, Argentina and Kazakhstan among the most impacted countries.
Increasing aridity and water demand amplify soil degradation risks, particularly in developing regions.
Soil salinity (ECe) maps on multiple-year average 1980-2024
Why does it happen ?
Soil salinization usually occurs in arid, and semi-arid areas. In these areas, crops are irrigated, usually with recycled, mineral rich water. Evaporation and transpiration processes leaves salt in the soil.
Negative Impacts of Soil Salinization
How elevated salt levels disrupt plants, soil structures, and agricultural economies.
Plant & Crop Stress
• Osmotic Shock: Lowers water uptake, inducing severe physiological drought. • Ion Toxicity: Accumulates sodium/chloride, Inhibiting cellular function and photosynthesis. • Nutrient Deficiencies: Blocks absorption of essential potassium and calcium. • Stunted Development: Inhibits seed germination and drastically lowers crop yields.
Soil & Ecosystem Decay
• Structural Breakdown: Induces dispersion and sodicity, causing heavy compaction. • Impaired Permeability: Seals soil pores, preventing water and air penetration. • Microbial Suppression: Kills off beneficial soil fauna, halting nutrient cycles. • Erosion Risk: Leaves weakened topsoil vulnerable to heavy wind and water runoff.
Socio-Economic Crises
• Yield Collapse: Shrinks farm outputs, driving major financial losses. • Desertification: Transforms fertile, arable lands into sterile, barren landscapes. • Food Insecurity: Threatens regional food availability by limiting crop choices. • Resource Strain: Forces reliance on expensive soil remediation and fresh water
Annual loss of crops due to soil salinization estimated to be US$ 27 Billion
OUR SOLUTION & TECHNOLOGY PIPELINE
Inspired by nature
Powered by science
Built for the agriculture of tomorrow
We identify regulatory genes from naturally stress-tolerant extremophytes.
In the case of salinity, we identify our genes from halophytes = plants that thrive in high-salt environments (salt concentrations > 200 mM).
Only about 2% of all plant species are halophytes. These plants use unique biological mechanisms to thrive in such harsh environments.
STEP 01
Identify suitable halophytes
We start with a halophyte plant, that has evolved to thrive under extreme salt stress.
STEP 02
Comparative transcriptomics
Comparative transcriptomics and a unique computation biology pipeline reveal high-priority stress-tolerance targets within these plants.
STEP 03
Precision gene-editing by CRISPR Cas9
CRISPR Cas9 gene editing generates targeted modifications that introduce durable, multi-stress tolerance in crop genomes.
STEP 04
Stress-tolerant crops
The result: crops capable of withstanding severe climate stress, with minimal yield penalties, and strictly non-GMO.
PLATFORM ADVANTAGES
Taps natural treasure chest of genes present in extremophytes
Multigenic regulation for durable multi-stress tolerance
No foreign DNA — non-GMO classification
Applicable to additional crops and other abiotic stresses
TRACTION & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Proof-of-concept
139
Screening of mutant lines of Arabidopsis t. (model plant) defective in candiadte salt-tolerance genes
87
Distinct salt-tolerant phenotypes identified
72
Candidate regulatory genes selected for crop testing
20
Rice targets successfully edited using CRISPR
U.S. PCT patent filed — February 2025
"Method for Increasing Salt Tolerance in a Crop Plant"
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
Two of the world's largest seed markets are our starting point.
Rice Seed Market
Today → 2030
$8–9B → $12–13B
Maize Seed Market
Today
$25B → $32B
WHAT WE OFFER
✓
Licensing validated gene targets to leading seed companies — earning milestone payments and royalties on downstream seed sales.
✓
Partnering opportunities with strategic global players for co-development of commercial products.
USE OF FUNDING
Funding will accelerate greenhouse validation, field testing, IP expansion, and commercialization activities.
LEADERSHIP & PARTNERSHIPS
Deep scientific roots, strong institutional backing.
Prof. Simon Barak
Specializes in the regulation of stress responses in extremophytes.
Prof. Gidon Winters
Specializes in the physiological and molecular responses of plants to abiotic stress.
Dr. Kobi Inbar
Project Lead, directing project management and business development.
KEY PARTNERS
