US granted Dow's in-plant, three-gene cotton technology

Dow AgroSciences is the first company to provide the three-gene trait — two Cry proteins and a vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip3A) from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) —for enhanced, in-plant protection in cotton against a wide spectrum of key lepidopteran cotton insects, including cotton bollworm, budworm, armyworm, loopers and others.

Dow AgroSciences has announced it has received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)of its in-plant, three-gene insect protection trait in cotton.

The technology, the next generation of Dow AgroSciences’ WideStrike Insect Protection, will be offered exclusively in industry-leading germplasm developed by PhytoGen cottonseed.

Dow AgroSciences is the first company to provide the three-gene trait — two Cry proteins and a vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip3A) from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) —for enhanced, in-plant protection in cotton against a wide spectrum of key lepidopteran cotton insects, including cotton bollworm, budworm, armyworm, loopers and others.

With multiple modes of action, the three-gene package provides superior protection throughout the cotton plant from damaging worms, in addition to improved resistance management benefits.



Dow AgroSciences plans to announce the technology name this summer and offer the insect protection technology exclusively in PhytoGen brand varieties starting in 2014 pending regulatory import approvals.

Also pending regulatory approvals, Dow AgroSciences expects to commercially launch the Enlist Weed Control System in the Cotton Belt.



Combining state-of-the-art weed protection with the next generation of herbicide-tolerant technology is part of Dow AgroSciences’ commitment to increasing crop productivity through higher yields, better varieties and more targeted pest management control.



“When it’s commercially introduced, the three-gene insect protection will combine industry-leading bollworm control with improved trait durability in high-performing PhytoGen brand varieties,” says Duane Canfield, portfolio marketing leader for PhytoGen.



PhytoGen’s current offering, WideStrike, is a two-gene, in-plant trait that provides broad spectrum, season-long control of lepidopteran insect pests, such as fall armyworms, loopers, cotton bollworm and budworm. It is available exclusively from Dow AgroSciences — a trusted leader in the cotton industry.