Predicta B: Revolutionising soil health and crop planning
Soil is the foundation of primary production
For decades, soil-borne diseases like crown rot, rhizoctonia, and nematodes quietly reduced crop yields across Australia, often without farmers knowing the cause. But targeted scientific advancement has transformed this challenge into opportunity.
One of the most successful examples is Predicta B – a DNA-based soil testing service for broadacre crops developed right here in South Australia by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
A game-changer for industry
This world-leading innovation allows growers to detect harmful pathogens in the soil before planting. It replaces guesswork with data — giving farmers clear, actionable insight into what's happening below ground. The result is more informed decisions about crop selection, variety choice, and paddock management.
The impact has been substantial. Growers using Predicta B avoid crop losses, reduce unnecessary chemical use, and increase returns. In fact, for every dollar spent on testing, producers are seeing up to $10 in value through improved productivity and avoided losses.
National benefits for greater production and increased biosecurity
Since its development in SARDI’s molecular diagnostics lab, Predicta B has scaled nationally and is now used across millions of hectares of Australian farmland. Its underlying technology has since been adapted to support diagnostics for Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus, soil microbial profiling, and even marine pest detection.
In other words, investment in this one innovation has created a platform that now supports broader agricultural productivity, biosecurity, and environmental resilience.
It’s a clear example of research delivering return – not only for farmers, but for the wider community, through more secure food production, healthier soils, and a more robust biosecurity system.
Predicta B is South Australian innovation at its best: practical, scalable, and delivering value across the supply chain.
SARDI works with agronomists across the country to train them in using Predicta B and knowing the pathogens posing greatest risk to their crops as well as developing management strategies.
The power of co-funded partnerships
Predicta B is just one example of how strategic public investment in science creates national benefit. Predicta B was made possible through long-term South Australian Government investment, matched by GRDC – highlighting the power of co-funded innovation.