BASF launches critical insecticide for use in Canadian soybeans and potatoes

Canadian farmers have a new tool to protect their soybean and potato crops in 2019 with the launch of BASF’s Sefina™ insecticide.

Sefina utilizes a unique mode of action, Group 9D active ingredient Inscalis™, to quickly halt aphid feeding, reducing production losses and virus transmission. In research and commercial trials across Canada and the United States, Sefina showed extended control of up to three weeks against additional aphid pests that have, over time, developed resistance to other insecticides.

“Canadian growers find it challenging to control aphids when populations are high,” said Andrew Geerligs, Corn and Soybean Crop Manager for BASF Canada. “Sefina’s fast activity provides a new solution to control aphids in soybeans and limit the spread of viral pathogens in potatoes. In addition, Sefina does not impact beneficial predatory insects, making it an effective tool for an integrated pest management strategy.”

As part of BASF’s ongoing efforts to innovate solutions for growers, BASF developed active ingredient Inscalis, after its initial discovery by a team that included 2015 Nobel Prize recipient, Dr. Satoshi Omura of the Kitasato Institute.