Bayer, Syngenta submit herbicide-tolerance soybean trait for approval in various countries

Bayer CropScience and Syngenta have submitted applications for the approval of a new herbicide-tolerance soybean trait in various countries. It is now under review by regulatory authorities in the United States and Canada as well as key soybean-importing countries, including the European Union. The launch is expected between 2015 and 2020. The new trait confers tolerance to three herbicide active ingredients: Mesotrione, Glufosinate-ammonium and Isoxaflutole (MGI). This MGI herbicide tolerance trait offers an important new tool for soybean growers faced with challenging weeds such as waterhemp, Palmer pigweed and lambsquarters.

The new trait will broaden the herbicide options available to soybean growers by offering tolerance to Callisto® and Balance® herbicides, the leading HPPD inhibitor products. Further assisting growers in weed resistance management, the new soybean product will also be tolerant to Liberty® herbicide, while maintaining soybean yield and agronomic performance.

MGI herbicide tolerance will finally open the doors for consistent, market-leading residual weed control combined with a powerful post-emergence control option to soybean growers. This technology will substantially improve soybean productivity and sustainability of weed control practices by enabling growers to use more effective, residual herbicides that offer maximum flexibility.

"Bayer CropScience is excited to work with Syngenta to provide growers a powerful new weed management tool in soybeans," said Tim Zurliene, Global Trait Marketing and Licensing Manager, Bayer CropScience. "This new trait and herbicide system will enable growers to build highly effective weed management programs in soybeans while utilizing rotation of multiple and highly effective herbicide modes of action - critical in the ongoing fight against weed resistance."

"MGI herbicide tolerance will play an important role in promoting sustainable soybean weed management and provide growers another tool to maximize soybean yield," said Brett Miller, Technical Product Lead, Syngenta. "We expect MGI herbicide tolerance to become the foundation for soybean products containing stacked herbicide tolerance traits offering multiple modes of action to control the broadest spectrum of weeds."

The MGI herbicide tolerance trait will be available in NK® brand soybean varieties offered by Syngenta and also in Bayer branded varieties as well as out-licensed to other seed brands once all the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained. Additionally, each company is developing its own soybean herbicide products and programs that will be utilized with the new soybean varieties.