Bayer presents the evolution of Bollgard biotechnology

Visitors to the 18th edition of the Bahia Farm Show could see Bayer's launches for cotton crops. 

Among the innovations developed especially for Brazilian cotton farming, the company highlighted the evolution of Bollgard biotechnology. More information was presented about Bollgard 3 XtendFlex, which will be available to Brazilian farmers in 2024.

According to Bayer, this new version "enhances protection against weeds as it integrates tolerance to two more control tools: dicamba and glufosinate." 

According to the manufacturer, the technology encompasses different germplasms that have helped farmers look at each plot individually.

"We launched the new Bollgard 3 XtendFlex cotton biotechnology, expanding the spectrum of tolerance for herbicides by adding glufosinate and dicamba to the platform, thus promoting better weed control in the field," explained Eduardo Correa, Marketing Leader for Bayer's Cotton Business in Latin America.

According to him, this launch comes with a complete protein package for caterpillar control. "Our essence is innovation. B3XF is certainly the most complete biotechnology on the market," highlighted the Marketing Leader for Bayer's Cotton Business in Latin America.

In addition, the German multinational presented its portfolio of Deltapine brand cotton seed varieties. "When combined with Bollgard 3 RRFlex biotechnology, they favor high productive potential, fiber quality, adaptability in environments for both harvests and resistance to blue disease and bacterial blight," Bayer said.

In addition to the DP 1949 B3 RR FLEX variety, used by cotton farmers since the 2023/2024 season, visitors saw two launches for the Brazilian state of Bahia. With a late cycle and high adherence, DP 2077 B3RF promises superior fiber quality, with an average gain of 54 kilogram (kg) of lint in trials conducted in recent seasons. 

DP 2176 B3RF, on the other hand, has a high productive potential, with an average gain of 147kg of lint in trials, stability and adaptability for environments of the 1st and 2nd harvests, and resistance to root-knot nematodes.

The event also featured new digital solutions, crop protection products, and seeds adapted to meet the climate and soil needs of the northern and northeastern regions of the country.

Considered one of Brazil's main agricultural technology and business fairs, the Bahia Farm Show is held in the city of Luís Eduardo Magalhães (BA), a region considered one of the national agricultural powerhouses and a strategic hub for Brazilian cotton production.

"We have delivered diversified solutions over the past decades that place the producer at the center, and the results are reflected in productivity curves in the field," said Fernando Prudente, Business Director for Soybeans and Cotton at Bayer.

According to him, the farmer has the "necessary inputs to look at each plot as its ecosystem, with a managerial vision based on data, producing efficiently and sustainably, providing resilience to crops, and meeting market demands."

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)