MTU®: Proven, award-winning biostimulant technology enhancing photosynthesis, stress tolerance and yield

MTU® is IntraCrop’s patented Photosystem I–enhancing technology, developed over more than a decade of laboratory research, glasshouse testing and international field trials. A single-molecule biostimulant (patented in 2013), MTU® delays stress- and age-related senescence, increases chlorophyll content by up to 20%, improves Cyclic Electron Flow and consistently delivers yield benefits across a wide range of crops. With more than 257 trials globally, MTU® is found in our flagship CE-marked product Status® and will soon be integrated into further products.

Key information

What does MTU® do inside the plant?

MTU® enhances Photosystem I activity and promotes cyclic electron flow, increasing ATP production, delaying senescence and supporting stronger, longer-lasting photosynthetic performance. This means the plant maintains higher carbon assimilation in both optimal and stressed growing conditions.

How does MTU® improve performance under abiotic stress?

In stressed conditions, MTU® increases cyclic electron flow around PSI by up to 80%, protecting the photosynthetic apparatus and supporting faster recovery after drought or temperature stress. Plants treated with MTU® recover measurably faster once stress is relieved.

What impact does MTU® have on yield and crop quality?

Multiyear global data across cereals, OSR, maize, sunflower and other broadacre crops show consistent yield increases of 5–12% in normal conditions and 7–20% under stress. Independent trials demonstrate its ability to retain green leaf area, improve nutrient assimilation and enhance nitrogen use efficiency.

Information

Benefits of MTU®

Enhances Photosystem I & Photosynthetic Efficiency

  • Increases chlorophyll content by up to 20%
  • Delays senescence and extends the photosynthetically active period
  • Improves carbon assimilation → more sugars, faster growth

Improves Stress Tolerance

  • Strengthens cyclic electron flow pathways
  • Protects photosynthetic machinery under drought and heat
  • Faster recovery following stress events (demonstrated 24 hrs after rewatering)

Boosts Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE)

  • Enhances nitrogen assimilation and internal N redistribution
  • Reduces fertiliser requirement while maintaining yield
  • Supports environmental sustainability goals

Proven Global Performance

  • 257+ trials, 43 crops, 13 countries
  • Over 260,000 ha commercially treated worldwide
  • High consistency across environments, soil types and seasons

Versatile Across Products & Formulations

  • MTU® is used in Status® but is now being adopted in additional formulations and new product combinations
  • Suitable for foliar biostimulants and broader use in next-generation technologies

Agronomic Guidelines

Application Timing

  • Apply during key vegetative stages where photosynthetic efficiency delivers maximum benefit
  • Particularly valuable ahead of known stress periods or during rapid canopy expansion
  • Suitable for both normal and reduced-nitrogen programmes

Dose Rate

  • Ultra-low use rates due to high molecular activity (product-specific rate will depend on the final formulation)
  • Consistently effective at the equivalent of 10 μM MTU® in trial settings (as shown in stress-recovery trials)

Tank Mixing

  • Compatible with most fertilisers and crop protection products
  • Always follow the product-specific tank-mix guidelines

Environmental Conditions

  • Most effective when applied in moderate temperatures
  • Avoid application in high UV, frost or within 24 hrs of heavy rainfall

Programme Fit

  • Pairs well with nitrogen management programmes
  • Ideal addition to integrated stress-mitigation strategies
  • Suitable for sustainable and regenerative systems aiming to reduce fertiliser emissions

Crop Types

MTU® has demonstrated strong performance across broadacre and speciality crops, including:

  • Cereals: wheat, barley, durum, triticale
  • Potatoes
  • Oilseed crops: oilseed rape
  • Maize & corn
  • Sunflower
  • Sugar beet
  • Legumes
  • Broadacre vegetables
  • Speciality/row crops where stress resilience and leaf longevity are key

Data drawn from 257 trials across the UK, Germany, Czechia, Hungary, Sweden, Denmark, Morocco, Canada and more.

Frequently asked questions
  1. Is MTU® the same as Status?

No. Status® contains MTU®, but MTU® is a standalone technology. It is now being used across multiple new products and combinations. This page describes the MTU® molecule itself, not the Status formulation.

  1. How does MTU® work compared to other biostimulants?

MTU® is unique in the market for its impact on Photosystem I and cyclic electron flow, distinct from auxin/cytokinin-modulating or microbial technologies.

  1. What makes MTU® particularly effective under stress?

By protecting PSI and increasing ATP availability, MTU® helps maintain growth and metabolism when the plant is under drought, heat, salinity or nutrient stress.

  1. What trial data is available?

The molecule is backed by 257+ trials, including small-plot, glasshouse, tramline and commercial evaluations across 43 crops. Yield data, NUE improvements and stress-recovery images are available on request.

  1. Can MTU® reduce nitrogen fertiliser use?

Yes. MTU® improves nitrogen assimilation and NUE, meaning growers can maintain performance with optimised fertiliser programmes.

  1. Is MTU® suitable for organic systems?

MTU® is a synthetic molecule and not certified for organic production — however, it aligns strongly with sustainability goals through reduced fertiliser requirement and improved stress resilience.

  1. How quickly does MTU® take effect?

In glasshouse studies, improvements to chlorophyll content, PSI activity and stress resilience were visible within days. Faster post-stress recovery has been documented within 24 hours.

  1. Will MTU® work in all climates?

Yes, MTU® has demonstrated consistent efficacy from Northern Europe to North Africa and Canada.

  1. Does MTU® improve crop quality as well as yield?

Yes, MTU® extends green leaf retention, improves nutrient assimilation, and boosts energy production, which contributes to improvements in grain fill, oil content and other quality traits.

  1. How will MTU® feature in future IntraCrop products?

MTU® is a core technology used in current products as well as emerging next-generation biostimulants under development.

 

Find out more about MTU®

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