First soybean cultivars with Xtend technology to be launched by Embrapa and Meridional

The first soybean cultivars with Xtend technology - BRS 2553XTD and BRS 2558XTD, by Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) and Fundação Meridional, are a refuge option for Intacta 2 Xtend technology and will be launched during the On-line Field Day, which will be held on March 25, from 8:30 am, through the Embrapa Soja YouTube channel.

This technology adds three proteins (pyramided proteins Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 and Cry1Ac) that act to guarantee protection against the main caterpillars of the soybean crop. In addition, the cultivars are also tolerant to dicamba and glyphosate herbicides, making weed management more flexible. To participate in the event, register on the event's page: www.embrapa.br/soja/dconline.

Launch of BRS 2553XTD

BRS 2553XTD is a cultivar that can be used in refuge areas for cultivars with I2X technology. It has high productive performance, associated with precocity (maturity group 5.3). “It is the earliest cultivar in Embrapa's portfolio and, as it combines precocity with good branching, it is capable of producing more pods, ensuring excellent productivity. The architecture of the plants is also a high point because it favors the application and penetration of chemical products”, says researcher Carlos Lásaro Pereira de Melo.

BRS 2553XTD is suitable for Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Santa Catarina (REC 102), especially regions with altitudes above 700 meters. “In these regions, its productive potential is increased, reaching more than 5 thousand kilos per hectare, which exceeds the different standards with which it has been compared in the market”, he emphasizes.

Another relevant characteristic of BRS 2553XTD is its resistance to Phytophthora root rot, a disease caused by this soil fungus that has brought high economic losses to infected crops. It is also resistant to stem canker, frogeye leaf spot and soybean mosaic virus, moderately resistant to powdery mildew and tolerant to cowpea mild mottle virus.

Launch of BRS 2558XTD

BRS 2558XTD is also a cultivar that can be used in refuge areas for cultivars with I2X technology. The early cultivar (maturity group 5.8) is indicated for Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and São Paulo (REC 103). Due to the cultivar's cycle, this release is indicated for those who want to anticipate the sowing, because it can be sown from September, right after the sanitary void. “It is a great option for early cultivation, as it is adapted to the anticipation of sowing, allowing it to fit into crop succession/rotation systems, such as beans or safrinha corn”, highlights researcher Carlos Lásaro Pereira de Melo.

Another high point of the cultivar is the excellent yield potential, associated with the good branching of the plants, surpassing the yield standards with the most productive cultivars on the market. “In the evaluation tests, BRS 2558XTD showed potential above 5 thousand kilos per hectare, which is quite relevant when compared to other cultivars”, emphasizes the researcher.

The cultivar stands out for its good health, especially its resistance to Phytophthora root rot. “This characteristic adds greater stability, in case the disease manifests itself, because the plants are not affected, unlike susceptible cultivars”, says Melo. It is also resistant to stem canker, soybean mosaic virus and moderately resistant to frogeye leaf spot.

BRS 2558XTD has an average protein content of around 40%, while the national average is 36%. Therefore, it brings a very expressive gain for the animal feed agroindustry.

Valuing innovations and technology

"Over 22 years of partnership with Embrapa, Fundação Meridional has developed a large portfolio of cultivars in the different platforms of soybean genetic improvement. We are really looking forward to these new technologies", emphasizes Ralf Udo Dengler, executive manager of Southern Foundation.

“The cultivars with Xtend technology, BRS 2553XTD and BRS 2558XTD, already have fields registered for the 21/22 harvest and we should expand the offer for the next harvest, when we should also launch other XTD cultivars, as well as the first cultivars with Intacta 2 technology Xtend”, highlights Dengler.

Enhanced protection against caterpillars

Intacta 2 Xtend soybean provides protection against six species of caterpillars that affect the soybean crop, namely Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera cosmioides, in addition to the four that were already the target of the Intacta RR2 PRO technology, soybean looper (Chrysodeixis includens), velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis), tobacco budworm (Chloridea virescens), Neotropical soybean budborer (Crocidosema aporema). “The pyramiding of two proteins, combined with Cry1Ac, in this technology, reduces the probability of breaking the resistance of the first generation Bt (Cry1Ac)”, explains researcher Daniel Sosa Gomez, from Embrapa Soja.

Embrapa defends that pest management in crops with Intacta 2 Xtend technology follows the same premises as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), such as monitoring and control when pests reach the level of action, giving priority to selective insecticides. “A fundamental aspect to avoid the selection of populations of resistant caterpillars in crops with this technology is the planting of structured refuge areas”, explains Sosa Gomez.

The current recommendation of refuge for soybean cultivation is that at least 20% of the area be with technology other than Intacta 2 Xtend. According to the researcher, this is a preventive measure that consists of planting crops with Intacta 2 Xtend technology, at a maximum distance of 800 meters from crops with Xtend technology or other non-Bt soybean options (RR or conventional require greater care in dicamba application).

“This distance allows the random mating of moths from areas with Intacta 2 Xtend technology and refuge areas, favoring the maintenance of susceptible populations and delaying the selection of resistant populations”, he says.

Weed management and application of the herbicide dicamba

Soybean cultivars with Intacta 2 Xtend technology and Xtend technology are tolerant to the herbicide dicamba, whose molecule is efficient in the management of broad-leaf weeds, highlights researcher Dionísio Gazziero, from Embrapa Soja.

In the researcher's assessment, the farmer must be aware of the emergence or spread of resistant weeds. Furthermore, he recalls that the integration of management practices involves not only chemical control, but also the rotation of the mechanisms of action of herbicides, crop rotation - at least during the soybean off-season - the use of species to produce a good straw, cleaning agricultural machinery and implements, using seeds free of resistant weeds and monitoring flora changes to prevent the reproduction of these species.

“The association of dicamba with glyphosate is yet another alternative available on the market to solve problems with weeds, but it is necessary to use the products correctly”, he emphasizes. “Dicamba is a herbicide recommended for application in soybean pre-planting. It is essential that the information contained in the package insert is followed, as use in disagreement with the technical guidelines can cause injuries to crops not targeted by the herbicide application”, concludes Gazziero.

More information about the cultivars and this new technology can be obtained here www.embrapa.br/soja/cultivares.