Focuses on root health, Bayer launches Root2Success brand in China

Roots are the cornerstone of healthy crop growth, and healthy roots serve as the foundation for crop health and high yields, playing a vital role in promoting high-quality agricultural development and ensuring food security. Leveraging its extensive expertise over many years, Bayer has introduced the concept of ″Root Domain″ and officially launched its trademarked brand, Root2Success, on April 22, 2024.

The theme of the event is ″Success Starts with Roots for Greater Success,″ with the vision of ″creating an excellent living environment for roots from various aspects, such as nematode control, root disease management, and soil microecosystem optimization.″ Root2Success, Bayer’s underground division brand, aims to promote the widespread application of innovative products with flexible and efficient solutions, safeguarding the health of the root domain from various angles and serving Chinese farmers.

During the launch event, many technical experts, agri-inputs distributors, and service providers visited Bayer’s Innovation Center in Danyang, Jiangsu, China, where they observed experimental planting results, exchanged insights on Bayer’s cutting-edge exploration of Root2Success and the performance of Bayer’s solutions, and witnessed the grand unveiling of its Root2Success brand.

Launch ceremony of Root2Success brand

Addressing challenges facing farmers, Bayer focuses on roots to highlight its core value

Root Domain represents the organic unity of roots and soil-related factors. Robust root systems are essential for effective nutrient uptake in crops and their ability to withstand environmental stressors. Safeguarding the ecological balance within the root domain is in line with the principles of regenerative agriculture. However, there are numerous challenges associated with maintaining root health, including difficulties in identifying issues, delayed detection, challenges in making accurate judgments, and selecting appropriate treatments. These challenges are prevalent across various economically important crops and staple foods, and their severity may vary significantly across different regions. Consequently, the issue of root health has garnered considerable attention from the industry.

Considering this background, Bayer introduced its Root2Success brand for root disease control, which offers targeted solutions for nematode control, root disease management, and soil microecosystem optimization, to improve the survival environment of roots and foster healthy root development. Li Yifan, Director of Customer Marketing of Bayer Crop Science Greater China, expressed Bayer’s intention to support farmers by offering solutions through the Root2Success brand.

Li Yifan, Director of Customer Marketing of Bayer Crop Science Greater China

Multiple parties discuss how ″Success Starts with Roots″ enables ″Greater Success″

The Root2Success brand launch event was held at Bayer’s Danyang Innovation Center, an important part of its global innovation network in China. As one of Bayer’s 17 international innovation centers, the Bayer Danyang Innovation Center is equipped with a range of modern agricultural facilities, a professional R&D team, and experimental nursery sites for various crops, such as tomatoes, strawberries, rice, cucumbers, and lettuce. It intuitively showcases the practical achievements of the Root2Success brand with the concept of ″Success Starts with Roots for Greater Success.″

During the session, Li Baoju, Researcher at the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, presented an overview of the causes and comprehensive management techniques for continuous cropping obstacles in greenhouse vegetable production. Additionally, he explained the significance of the concept, ″Success Starts with Roots,″ and related challenges.

Li Baoju, Researcher at the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Li Baoju explained that the main reason behind continuous cropping obstacles is soil degradation. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can lead to increased soil salinity and decreased pH levels, which are detrimental to the absorption of nutrients by crops and their resistance to diseases. Acidic soil further promotes the growth of root nematodes and pathogens. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach for managing these issues, including improving soil health, promoting microbial recovery, and controlling root diseases. He recommended starting with the restoration of soil health and implementing integrated pest and disease management strategies, adopting measures such as using organic fertilizers, restoring soil microorganisms, and utilizing biological agents and environmentally friendly pesticides.

Li Baoju stressed that sustainable greenhouse vegetable production can only be achieved by establishing a healthy soil ecosystem from the start. By employing environmentally friendly chemical pesticides, both roots and soil can become healthier, resulting in the production of high-quality agricultural products. Bayer's "Root2Success" program not only focuses on the present but also aims to create a sustainable future.

Dr. Bai Jianjun, Senior Manager of Field Solution at Bayer Crop Science Greater China, explained the scientific basis of Bayer's Root Guardianship™ brand from a research and development perspective. According to Dr. Bai, two patented nematicides under the Root2Success brand, namely Velum500SC^® (41.7% fluopyram), and Velum400SC^® (400 g/L fluopyram), have unique mechanisms of action and are environmentally friendly. These products effectively inhibit nematode respiration, leading to their loss of energy metabolism and rapid death. Additionally, their molecular structure allows for precise distribution in the root domain of crops, resulting in optimum control at extremely low application rates but with excellent results.

Dr. Bai Jianjun, Senior Manager of Field Solution at Bayer Crop Science Greater China

Moreover, Bayer’s Serenade fungicide, based on the patented strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713, play a critical role in promoting healthy crop growth from various aspects. These strains secrete a variety of beneficial substances, such as substances that create biofilms to isolate pathogens, plant hormone-like substances to enhance root development, and organic acids and extracellular enzymes that improve soil conditions.

For controlling root diseases, Bayer has introduced QMX^®/XWT^®, which combines two active ingredients, of which Metalaxyl-M effectively inhibits oomycetes, while fludioxonil exhibits high activity against most fungi. The synergy between these ingredients enables the effective prevention and control of soil-borne diseases, especially in rice crops. Furthermore, according to Dr. Bai, as the root domain protection program progresses, fluopicolide and penflufen will be incorporated into Bayer’s Root2Success brand.

Li Hui, Market Development Manager of Bayer CropScience China, further explained the field trial results of Bayer’s Root2Success brand over several years. She said that from 2021 to 2023, Bayer Crop Science China conducted extensive trials in 23 provinces across China, involving 248 projects related to comprehensive underground solutions. Li also talked, in detail, about the value and application methods of Root2Success brand products on different types of crops. Additionally, Tony Liu, Brand Management Lead of Bayer CropScience China, introduced the development plan for Bayer’s Root2Success brand to attendees.

Li Hui, Market Development Manager of Bayer CropScience China

Tony Liu, Brand Management Lead of Bayer CropScience China

It is known that robust growth ″upwards″ begins with strong and deep cultivation ″downwards.″ Bayer’s Root2Success brand aims to help farmers achieve ″Success Starts with Roots″ for crops and ″Greater Success″ in their lives, contributing to higher agricultural yields in China and paving the way for a future of ″Greater Success.″