Bayer launches VT4PRO™ with RNAi Technology in Eastern Canada

The Crop Science division of Bayer announced registration of VT4PRO™ with RNAi Technology in Eastern Canada for corn. VT4PRO delivers the latest in corn rootworm defence, with comprehensive above-ground control and effective root protection, providing a broad spectrum of defence for growers against the increasing problem of yield-robbing insects.

″VT4PRO is an excellent corn trait that can round out a grower’s toolbox,″ says Bryan Bryson, Traits and Licensing Campaign Manager at Bayer Crop Science. ″VT4PRO complements other in-market solutions like Trecepta^® RIB Complete^® and SmartStax^® PRO, providing one of the most comprehensive above and below ground corn insect defence packages currently available to growers.″

Yield-robbing pests are increasingly showing up in Canadian fields, with Southwestern Ontario, Eastern Ontario, and small pockets of Quebec considered particularly high-risk regions¹. The arrival of VT4PRO gives growers the peace-of-mind that comes with a well-protected crop.

When unchecked, corn rootworm can rob almost half of a crop’s yield². VT4PRO uses two below ground modes of action, including RNAi Technology, to deliver effective root protection in low to moderate corn rootworm pressure situations by interfering with a pest’s ability to create life-essential proteins. RNAi Technology effectively causes mortality after ingestion.

Above-ground, corn insects like fall armyworm and corn earworm can damage a corn crop in many ways, disrupting nutrient flow, decreasing yield and in extreme cases breaking the crop’s stalk³. Leveraging the proven power of Trecepta^® Technology and two additional modes of action, VT4PRO offers an elite above-ground pest package for corn, providing a superior level of protection.

The versatile product provides a broad geographic fit, protecting acres from fall armyworm, corn earworm, southwestern corn borer, western bean cutworm, black cutworm, European corn borer and corn rootworm. VT4PRO also contains Roundup Ready 2 Technology^®, allowing the plant to withstand glyphosate treatments used to prevent weeds.

Bayer is dedicated to helping growers overcome their most pressing in-field issues through superior innovation that builds on proven performance. VT4PRO demonstrates that ongoing commitment.

VT4PRO will be available for the 2025 growing season across Eastern Canada. 

Works Cited:

1. Western bean cutworm. InsectForecast. (n.d.). https://www.insectforecast.com/forecast/western-bean-cutworm-184/

2. Tinsley, N. A., R. E. Estes, and M. E. Gray. ″Validation of a Nested Error Component Model to Estimate Damage Caused by Corn Rootworm Larvae.″ Journal of Applied Entomology 137, no. 3 (2012): 161–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.2012.01736.x.

3. ″Agriculture: Province of Manitoba.″ Province of Manitoba - Agriculture, www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/crop-management/grain-corn/corn-insects.html. Accessed 8 July 2024.