Syngenta, DuPont sign corn rootworm trait licensing agreement

Syngenta and DuPont recently announced that Syngenta will grant DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred a non-exclusive, global license to its corn rootworm trait MIR604 (Agrisure®) for corn seed. The trait provides protection from below-ground coleopteran insects, including corn rootworm, a major corn pest in the U.S. and around the world.

The license, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2011, gives Pioneer full stacking rights of MIR604 with other traits and will provide continued choice for farmers for insect protection for corn seed.

"This rootworm trait provides Pioneer with additional product options for our customers continuing our momentum in the marketplace,” said Paul Schickler, Pioneer president. “Pioneer is creating unique trait combinations to offer next generation insect protection products. The new products will deliver growers additional choice in the Optimum® AcreMax™ family of products.”