BASF and Monsanto in seed treatment agreement

BASF announced that it has reached an exclusive supply agreement with Monsanto Company for fungicide seed treatments for cotton and soybeans in North America.

Monsanto's next generation Acceleron® Seed Treatment Products for soybeans and cotton will contain F500®-the same active ingredient found in Headline® fungicide (active ingredient: pyraclostrobin)-and the innovation Xemium® fungicide (active ingredient: fluxapyroxad), which is expected to be registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2012.

A new generation of the carboxamide class of chemistry, Xemium has shown to provide superior control of key soybean and cotton diseases.

"Growers know that yields can suffer without successful early-season crop development," said Bob Yaklich, Market Manager for Seed Solutions for BASF in North America. "The combination of BASF fungicides, Xemium and F500, provides a new level of disease control, as well as healthier plants and improved crop quality, which can improve yield potential. This new agreement with Monsanto will give growers the opportunity to give seedlings a stronger start and their growing seasons a stronger finish."

Under the agreement, Monsanto will have exclusive rights to commercialize the new seed treatments. Monsanto's global seed treatment platform complements the company's seed and trait strategy, as well as its investments in breeding and biotechnology.

"Farmers choose Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans and Deltapine® brand cottonseed for their proven yield advantages" said Tom Schaefer, Monsanto's Marketing Manager for Acceleron® Seed Treatment Products. "These additions to the Acceleron Seed Treatment Products line can help those seeds emerge strong and yield strong."