Bayer CropScience adds new canola hybrids and traits

With the addition of three new hybrids, Bayer CropScience is giving farmers three more reasons to plant InVigor® seed than just its genetics and yield. These new hybrids provide canola farmers across the northern tier of the United States more options to overcome growing and harvesting challenges, fight disease pressure, and improve profitability.

In addition to the current line of InVigor hybrids, these new hybrids listed below will be available for the 2014 growing season:

• L140P – Industry’s first hybrid bred to reduce pod shatter. By mitigating losses associated with pod shatter, L140P provides farmers more flexibility by maximizing yield in delayed swathing and straight cutting situations. The hybrid’s built-in defense to pod shatter also reduces the impact of late-season moisture and wind events that can split pods and shell seeds prematurely, as well as make pods fall off the plant, shedding yield.
 
• L160S – First InVigor hybrid with built-in tolerance to Sclerotinia Stem Rot. As a first line of defense against Sclerotinia, L160S is ideal for fields with known disease pressure. Sclerotinia is one of the most serious and common diseases of canola in North Dakota. The disease has caused yield losses as high as 50 percent in some fields and occurs almost every year in the state.

By planting L160S, farmers may be able to delay or avoid a fungicide application. In seasons and fields with severe disease pressure, planting L160S can serve as a strong start to a disease management program that includes Proline® fungicide.
 
• L252 – First InVigor hybrid with high oil content. This mid- to full-maturing hybrid offers everything farmers have come to expect from InVigor genetics – early-season vigor and outstanding yield – with premium-level oil content.

As with the existing InVigor portfolio, these three new hybrids feature superior-rated blackleg tolerance, as well as the LibertyLink® trait, which gives farmers an alternative to glyphosate-tolerant systems.

“We are committed to the long-term success of canola farmers,” says Brian Hrudka, canola seed manager for Bayer CropScience. “With the addition of the three new hybrids to our portfolio, there’s an InVigor hybrid to fit every farm’s needs. Now farmers can take advantage of new opportunities like straight cutting.”