Bayer CropScience's new trait repeals soybean cyst nematode

Bayer CropScience announces it is developing a new soybean trait to address soybean cyst nematode (SCN) in North and South America. The trait, which will be branded globally as Credenz, represents the first microbial-based seed technology in the company’s portfolio, according to Liam Condon, chief executive officer for the company.

Condon recently made the announcement about Credenz,during the company’s annual press conference in Monheim, Germany.

"Credenz soybean seeds will help us deliver improved varieties to growers," Condon reports. "It will offer future traits that could protect soybeans against specific insects, repel persistent attacks by nematodes, and make soybeans tolerant to the most effective herbicides."

SCN is considered the most destructive pathogen in U.S. soybeans today. Annual soybean yield losses attributed to SCN are estimated to exceed $1 billion annually, according to the USDA.

Bayer expects Credenz will be available to U.S. farmers by 2015, according to Jorge Ellmanns, head of the soybeans, corn and herbicides team within crop strategy and portfolio management. He describes the technology as currently being in the proof-of-concept stage for the U.S.

"We believe it has huge potential in most parts of the Midwest soybean growing area," Ellmanns says. "The first results are extremely positive. The efficacy is very broad and the reduction of (nematode) counts is huge, but we have to verify that throughout the project development stages."

The Credenz technology is further along in its development in Brazil, where the company expects to launch it in the marketplace for farmer use in late 2014.
Ellsmanns says he has been meeting with U.S. farmers about the technology and expects to discuss it further in formal farmer focus groups.

"We’ll establish focus groups very early in the development stage to discuss how we can optimize the brand, how we can bring this to the market and make it most convenient for farmers to use,"Ellsmanns says.

One of the key objectives for the company is to communicate what farmers can expect from a microbial trait, Ellsmanns says.

"It’s a totally different offering from what we have had in the past, but I’m very encouraged by the discussions I’ve had with U.S. farmers," he says.

He also pointed out that the company is now poised to offer U.S. farmers agronomic solutions that draw upon traditional chemistry, biological and microbial technology in combination with farmers’ agricultural practices.

"The combination of these will help guarantee the sustainability of agriculture," he says.