BASF Crop Protection released fungicide Xemium’s research result

BASF Crop Protection presented educational information and research results on a new active ingredient, Xemium® fungicide, during the fifth annual "Science Behind” media symposium today. This new chemistry demonstrates strong field test results in disease control in a variety of crops being researched. BASF hopes to introduce products containing this new active ingredient in the United States in 2012.

Discovery of Xemium

Xemium, a next-generation fungicide in the carboxamide family, was discovered by researchers at BASF headquarters in Limburgerhof, Germany. Xemium is a result of BASF experience in research and development, specifically in the carboxamide class of chemistry.

"Our history and experience with carboxamides led us to the discovery of Xemium, which will be a strong addition to our existing global fungicide portfolio,” said Dr. Ulf Groeger, BASF Global Project Leader for Xemium. “The unique mobility in the plant ensures a long-lasting preventative and curative effect to protect the crop from damaging fungal pathogens.”

BASF has a notable history of bringing innovative fungicides to the global and U.S. crop protection markets. BASF discovered carboxamides in 1974, and has continued researching the chemistry long after its discovery. The broad potential of this class of fungicidal agents was discovered by BASF with the development of Boscalid, a broad-spectrum fungicide brought to market in 2003. In the United States, products containing Boscalid include Pristine® fungicide and Endura® fungicide.

BASF also discovered the strobilurin fungicide F500®, becoming a leader in that market after launching several successful products featuring the chemistry, including Headline® fungicide in 2003 and Headline AMP™ fungicide in 2010.

To provide growers with another tool to combat damaging crop diseases, BASF set out to further optimize the carboxamide class of agents, when they discovered Xemium fungicide. Studies show Xemium performs better than other carboxamides previously available. The discovery of Xemium brings yet another proprietary molecule to the market in this class of chemistry, also known as Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitors.

Research Results

Xemium is different from fungicides currently on the market. BASF is developing uniquely-designed formulations that provide complete coverage of the leaf surface and systemic distribution to ensure the product not only moves within the leaf but also to other parts of the plant not covered during application. These optimized molecular formulas should provide several characteristics that will make Xemium valuable to growers.

"In two years of U.S. on-farm research, we have seen impressive results from Xemium fungicide, especially in disease control,” said Scott Walker, Ph.D., BASF Biology Project Manager for Fungicides. “Field trials show Xemium to be a highly effective fungicide against several major crop diseases in a variety of crops including cereals, corn, soybean and specialty crops (pome fruits, stone fruits, etc.).”

Research shows Xemium provides effective curative and long-lasting preventative control of fungal diseases. On-farm research shows the superior disease control provided by Xemium leads to consistently higher yields and better crop quality, while also providing more flexible use.

In the United States, Xemium will be a brand of fungicides, sold under the trade names Merivon™ fungicide, Priaxor™ fungicide and Systiva™ fungicide.

"Research has been conducted on these individual products, and we have seen consistent performance because of the continuous protection provided by Xemium,” said Nick Fassler, BASF Technical Market Manager. “Merivon, Priaxor and Systiva will also be important tools for managing fungicide resistance. When used rotationally with other chemistries, products containing Xemium will help combat resistance to tough fungal pathogens.”

Continuation of Strong BASF Fungicide Portfolio

"BASF is committed to developing new chemistries and innovative products to advance the industry,” said Paul Rea, Vice President, U.S. Crop Protection, BASF. “We are rooted in research and development, and the discovery of the Xemium molecule is yet another testament to our promise to help growers get the most out of every acre.”

Xemium fungicide was submitted for registration through a workshare joint review between the U.S. EPA, Canada PMRA and Australia APVMA in early 2010. U.S. registration of Xemium is anticipated in 2012.

Upon registration in the United States, Xemium will join a robust BASF fungicide portfolio that includes:

Crop Protection Products

• Headline fungicide – The leader in disease control and Plant Health, Headline provides excellent benefits for growers, and remains the most researched fungicide on the market.

• Headline AMP fungicide – A combination fungicide developed for maximum disease protection in corn, Headline AMP provides protection from major diseases that can threaten yield and crop quality, and improves Plant Health benefits.

• TwinLine® fungicide – Powered by the active ingredient in Headline and a unique triazole, TwinLine delivers effective disease control that results in more benefits than any other cereal fungicide, including the potential to maximize yield.

• Caramba® fungicide – A highly effective fungicide containing the active ingredient metconazole, Caramba is part of the BASF wheat fungicide portfolio, providing excellent suppression of head scab with significant yield protection and reductions of DON levels in grains.

• Pristine fungicide – A combination of the active ingredient in Headline and Boscalid, Pristine provides unmatched disease control in a variety of specialty crops.

• Vivando™ fungicide – Metafrenone, the new active ingredient in Vivando, provides a unique, multilevel protection against powdery mildew in grapes, while offering flexible use rates and application timing.

• Endura fungicide – Powered by the active ingredient Boscalid, Endura is a preventative fungicide with curative action, registered for use in many important crops.

Seed Solutions Products

• Charter® fungicide seed treatment – Powered by triticonazole, Charter helps maximize yield by getting cereals off to a faster start and a stronger finish.

• Charter® F2 fungicide seed treatment – An offering that combines the benefits of Charter fungicide seed treatment and Acquire® fungicide seed treatment for convenience of use and excellent seed safety whether applied on-farm or commercially.

• Stamina® fungicide seed treatment – Powered by the same active ingredient as in Headline, Stamina provides seed and seedlings protection from key diseases, including Rhizoctonia.

• Stamina® F3HL fungicide seed treatment – Designed to provide the benefits of several proven active ingredients found in the BASF Seed Solutions portfolio, Stamina F3HL offers:

* Increased disease protection with triticonazole, the active ingredient in Charter.
* Broad protection against Pythium species with metalaxyl, the active ingredient in Acquire fungicide seed treatment.
* Excellent disease control with F500®, the same active ingredient as in Stamina and Headline.