‘Tankmix in a Jug’ Herbicides Capture 37% of Marketplace in U.S.

Combination herbicides are the new norm for companies introducing products to help row-crop farmers tackle tough broadleaf weeds and grasses.

Since the early 2000s, the market share for combination products – most have between two and four active ingredients – has grown to 37% of U.S. herbicide sales, according to Kline, a global marketing analysis company.

More than 300 different brands are sold in the U.S. market by major manufacturers, post-patent suppliers, and distributors. Kline expects combination herbicides to grow at a rate of 6% annually, resulting in U.S. sales of $3.5 billion by 2025.

 
Examples of combination herbicides, either approved for use this season or anticipated for 2023, include:

Soybean Herbicides

Tendovo herbicide from Syngenta is the first soybean herbicide premix to contain s-metolachlor + metribuzin + cloransulam (Groups 15, 5, 2). Tendevo controls up to 70 broadleaf weeds and grasses, with residual control lasting up to five weeks. It can be tankmixed with other herbicides for season-long weed control. Syngenta says recommended application rates will vary by soil texture. Coarse = 1.2 to 1.5 quarts per acre; medium = 1.5 to 2.1 quarts per acre; and fine = 1.75 to 2.35 quarts per acre. Tendevo is registered but unavailable for use until 2023.

Corn Herbicides

Convintro herbicide from Bayer targets Palmer amaranth (pigweed) and waterhemp. The herbicide features diflufenican, a Group 12 molecule, and will be used in both corn and soybeans. In soybeans, Bayer plans to package diflufenican with metribuzin and flufenacet (Groups 5, 15) to boost weed control. In corn, diflufenican will be paired with an HPPD inhibitor to boost weed control. Bayer expects to introduce Convintro in 2023.

Resicore XL is a reformulation of Resicore from Corteva. The premix features acetochlor, clopyralid and mesotrione (Groups 15, 4, 27). It will be a preplant, pre- and postemergence option in corn with new features like a wider application window, increased crop safety and greater tank-mix capabilities. The company had aimed for registration this season, but the likely market launch is 2023.

TriVolt herbicide. Bayer just announced the approval of TriVolt corn herbicide for use. It contains isoxaflutole + thiencarbazone + safener [Corvus] + flufenacet (Groups 27, 2, 15), reports Dwight Lingenfelter, Extension weed scientist, Penn State University. The herbicide can be applied from preemergence to V2 corn growth at a rate of 10 to 20 fluid ounces per acre.

Replacement Products

Syngenta launched Acuron GT, a post-emergence corn herbicide that contains bicyclopyrone, an advanced technology proven to deliver faster knockdown, enhanced control and longer-lasting residual in glyphosate-tolerant corn. While Acuron GT was available in limited supply for the 2021 season, it will be widely available for use in 2022.