Sino-Agri United’s first patented green chemical nematicide trifluenfuronate is expected to enter domestic and global market

After receiving promising results from toxicity tests, researchers at China's agrochemical company Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology (Sino-Agri United) breathed a sigh of relief.This marked a critical milestone in the decade-long development of trifluenfuronate, Sino-Agri United’s first self-developed low-toxicity chemical nematicide. With high efficiency and low environmental risks, the new product is poised to play an important role in controlling plant-parasitic nematodes and boosting agricultural productivity in China.

Nematodes have been predicted to become the number one pest for global crops. In China, greenhouse vegetable production covers over 6.5 million acres, accounting for 80% of the world’s greenhouse vegetable area. However, continuous cropping and multi-season planting have exacerbated nematode infestations. The affected area in China has reached over 3.3 million acres, causing estimated losses over $9.5 billion in agriculture.

To address this growing threat, Sino-Agri United launched a research project in 2012 to develop safer and more effective nematicides. After countless days and nights of hard work, the research team achieved a major technical breakthrough - trifluenfuronate.

"Developing a new agrochemical involves many disciplines and countless efforts from our scientists," said Tang Jianfeng, Chief Engineer and Director of the R&D Center at Sino-Agri United, "It requires some luck for research to bear fruit in 10 years. We feel fortunate."

Compared to traditional chemical nematicides, trifluoromethylpyrazole exhibits three key advantages: 1) Low toxicity and residues, enabling green pest control; 2) No pest resistance due to a novel mode of action; it can kill both insects and its eggs without damaging the plant roots 3) Growth regulation to improve crop quality and make the fruit taste better.

The patent of trifluenfuronate has been authorized by China in 2017, and has been successively authorized by France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Brazil and other countries. After three years of indoor biotesting and field efficacy verification, the product’s excellent control effect on nematodes was confirmed.

Sino-Agri United started registration of trifluenfuronate at the end of 2018. The registration trials have now been completed, and a registration application has been submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in August 2023. It is expected to be approved by the end of 2023.

From 2022 till now, field trials at demonstration bases across China have shown outstanding results. Growers urgently anticipate the official launch to cut costs and boost yields.

With advanced homegrown technologies and products, companies like Sino-Agri United are helping realize China's food security goals. True to its motto of "Producing Green Agrochemicals for Humanity", Sino-Agri United continues to drive business growth through scientific innovation. The future looks bright for China to reap bumper harvests from its "granary of the world".