Syngenta adds herbicide resistance to Bt sweet corn line

Syngenta has added the Liberty Link herbicide-tolerance trait to its Attribute insect-protected sweet corn line so growers can now use Liberty 280 SL over the top to control weeds.

The sweet corn line already contains a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis that helps protect it from several lepidopterous pests, including European corn borer, corn earworm and fall armyworm, according to a news release.

Attribute II varieties have stacked, or multiple, traits inserted through genetic engineering. These varieties contain two different Bt proteins that protect against European corn border, corn earworm and fall armyworm as well as black cutworm and Western bean cutworm.

The varieties include BSS0982, GSS0966 and Protector.

Liberty 280 SL, a broad-spectrum herbicide, contains the active ingredient glufosinate. It belongs to the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee's Group 10.