Ascenza launches weapon in Brazil to control weeds in sugarcane

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

The Portuguese multinational Ascenza announced the launch in Brazil of the herbicide Mesopec, a new product developed with the active ingredient Mesotrione.

It is a selective and potent technology for application in post-emergence.

Weed control, according to Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) can reduce the weight of plant stalks by up to 85%, especially in the germination phase.

Brazilian producers need to pay a lot of attention to weeds, especially during the wettest periods of the year. It is exactly when they develop and proliferate quickly, in favorable humidity and temperature conditions, infesting the sugarcane fields.

With systemic action, the new product is composed of mesotrione 480 SC (concentrated suspension), with proven efficacy to control grasses and dicotyledons in sugarcane, pointed out the company belonging to the Rovensa group.

“Mesotrione inhibits carotenoid biosynthesis. This happens because this herbicide negatively interferes with the activity of the HPPD enzyme, 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase. This is a key reaction, and one of the consequences is the symptoms of intoxication of the substance in sensitive plants. It leads to the whitening of the leaves, with subsequent necrosis and death of plant tissues," explained agronomist, master and doctor in plant science, Acácio Gonçalves Netto.

An additional advantage of Mesopec, the manufacturers pointed out, is its versatility in application in mixtures.

“This gives the producer more options, expanding the range in the composition of post-emergence applications. We recommend it for the modalities of cane and ratoon cane, in harvesting systems with sugarcane burning and mechanized without burning the cane field (also known as raw cane harvesting),” Netto pointed out.

Another application option is for extensive areas of sugarcane, which can also be done through aerial spraying using aircraft.

The product has a broad spectrum of action in the control of weeds with broad leaves and crabgrass (Digitaria horizontalis), common weeds (Amaranthus retroflexus), as well as viola chord (Ipomoea spp).