BASF receives U.S. registration for Zidua herbicide

Corn growers battling tough-to-control, small-seeded broadleaf weeds and grasses will have a powerful new tool, as BASF Crop Protection announced the U.S. federal registration of Zidua herbicide (active ingredient: pyroxasulfone). Future registrations for use in soybean and wheat are anticipated for early 2013.

After 10 years of research and field trials, BASF researchers found that the residual weed control provided by Zidua can last up to two weeks longer than other herbicides currently on the market, which helps lead to higher yields. Research also shows that Zidua provides up to 10% better performance in controlling Palmer amaranth and waterhemp.

Nine states in the South have already reported resistant Palmer amaranth, and herbicide options for control have become increasingly limited. Glyphosate-resistant waterhemp is continuing to spread across the country. Of the 10 states that have now confirmed glyphosate-resistant waterhemp, three have waterhemp populations with resistance to multiple sites of action.

"With Zidua, growers have an additional site of action that provides outstanding residual control of small-seeded broadleaves and grasses resistant to ALS-inhibitors, glyphosate, ACCase and triazines,” said Bryan Perry, Zidua marketing manager, BASF. “Along with innovations like Kixor herbicide technology, Zidua helps meet the grower’s need for new herbicides with different sites of action to manage weed resistance and better protect their fields.”

As the only solo pyroxasulfone product on the market, Zidua affords a wide application window from fall through early preplant to early postemergence.

Zidua is currently labeled only for use in corn. Future label expansions are being developed for use in cotton, soybeans and wheat and are being evaluated for uses in sunflowers, peanuts and other crops.