Chengdu Newsun’s Jin Huang Identifies Plant Health Sector Challenges

Dr. Huang Jin

AgriBusiness Global asked Dr. Jin Huang, Vice Dean of the Biotechnology Research Institute at Chengdu Newsun Crop Science Co., Ltd., about the state of the plant health sector globally and in China. Huang also discusses the latest R&D updates within the sector, the challenges of getting new products to the market, and more.

ABG: Can you talk about the gaps in the plant health sector globally, and then specifically in China?

Jin Huang: Globally, the plant health sector faces challenges in how products are regulated and assessed, often focusing on single active ingredients rather than the synergistic effects of multiple molecules in plant extracts and biologicals. This approach can overlook the true potential of plant extracts, where the combination of various molecules plays a critical role in overall efficacy.

In China, while the policy environment is favorable, there are still challenges in market education. Many farmers, especially in rural areas, are accustomed to traditional farming methods, and the adoption of new, more sustainable agricultural practices requires substantial effort in education and outreach. Additionally, intensive farming practices are still evolving, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity to introduce solutions that support high-yield, sustainable agriculture.

ABG: What are the newest R&D discoveries for plant health?

J H: In recent years, several groundbreaking technologies have emerged in plant health, many of which were originally developed for other industries such as medicine, animal protection, and big health. These technologies, such as phage therapy, RNA interference (RNAi), peptides and plant extracts, are now being adapted for use in agriculture.

Plant extracts, however, remain one of the most exciting areas of discovery. Research into plant-derived growth regulators and immune stimulants has shown that these complex mixtures of molecules can improve plant health by promoting growth, boosting resistance to disease, and helping plants tolerate stress.

ABG: How do these newly discovered molecules work?

J H: NewSun’s Active Molecular Cluster Co-extraction (AMCC) platform extracts natural active molecular clusters from plants, offering multifunctional biological products. A recent example is the sand ginger extract developed using this platform, which effectively combines mite control with egg inhibition in one formulation.

The AMCC platform targets specific molecular groups, enabling synergistic effects. Beyond the mite control plus egg inhibition combination, the platform also enables formulations that provide fungicidal plus immune stimulation, fungicidal plus growth promotion, and stress resistance plus root growth — each with distinct benefits. This approach ensures that the product remains cost-effective while delivering high performance across multiple dimensions of plant health.

ABG: What will be the challenges of getting these new products to market where they are most needed?

J H: The primary challenge is regulatory approval. In most countries, safety is the top priority for new products, meaning they must pass rigorous safety assessments before their effectiveness is even considered. This makes the approval process long and complex.

Once the product is approved, market confidence is the next hurdle. To gain acceptance, it’s essential to conduct localized field trials to demonstrate the product’s effectiveness in real-world conditions. Furthermore, the product must be commercially viable, offering not only competitive pricing but also a solid return on investment for farmers. The product needs to prove that it can deliver significant value, both in terms of performance and cost-effectiveness.