Rossi extols Nidera role in history of Argentine soybeans

Rodolfo Rossi, global director of Soybean Research at Nidera, spoke about the company’s history with regard to the cultivation of the crop in Argentina, during a presentation at the Expoagro 2016.

 

During his presentation, Rossi said that thanks to Nidera Seeds, Argentina was a pioneer in soybean. The renowned plant breeder explained that since the 1980s new molecular breeding tools have allowed the identification and manipulation of soybean DNA. This marked the origin of transgenic plants with resistance to glyphosate.

 

Nidera was the first company to request the release of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) in Argentina and promoted the creation of Conabia. The company was also the first to obtain the approval of the first RR1 varieties registered and launched in Mercosur. On March 25, 1996, the first variety of RR1 soybean was approved, and in 1998 Argentinean farmers had already planted 1 million hectares.

 

In addition, Nidera developed value-added generation projects in high oleic soybeans along with Dupont, while Agrevo selected the Glufosinato R event in 1999.

 

With regard to productive impact he explained that the incorporation of RR soy produced an impact on crop management, adding, "A new method of post-emergence treatments with application flexibility has been introduced, allowing better control of weeds with a reduction in the use of herbicides."

 

Lastly, the breeder expressed, "In advancing the development of genetics in soybeans, the aim is to achieve characteristics that allow maximum yield in the environments characteristic of our region, for which it is necessary that the advance is directed towards genotypes tolerant to drought, with efficiency in the use of water and tolerance to thermal stress. In relation to pests and diseases, it aims to achieve tolerance to rust and nematodes, and is also expected to achieve the greatest response to fertilizers, adapting to different types of soils.

 

In conclusion, Rossi detailed the state-of-the-art new technologies for soybean cultivation. Among the developments that will come to light in the medium term, he cited resistance to insects (hemiptera, bugs, lepidoptera), resistance to nematodes (cyst nematode), resistance to diseases (Asian rust, fungi), increased yield, Oil content and the best efficiency for forage. Advanced herbicides tolerance (dicamba, multiple mode, HPPD, DHT: 2, 4-D + glufosinate, GlyTol® + HPPD + LL, imidazolinone) are planned for 2 to 5 years. Resistance to insects (2nd generation of Intacta RR2 PRO®), increased yields, increased Omega 3 (Soymega ™ SDA) and low saturated fatty acids - trans fats (Vistive® Gold).

 

Regarding active herbicide tolerance programs with GMOs, Nidera materials have already incorporated or are prepared to include in their germplasm the Monsanto events: 1) RR2 + Bt Intacta (launched in 2014, Mercosur, 2) RR2 (2018/19, Mercosur), and in the second half of the year, it is expected that this will be the case in the future. 

 

The same happens with Dow events: 2.4.D + GLIFO + GLUFO "ENLIST E3" (2017/18, Argentina) and 2.4.D + GLIFO + GLUFO + 2IR "ENLIST E3 x IR" (2018/19, Mercosur). Also, the Nidera soybeans are waiting for the Bayer event that offers tolerance to the HPPD (2019, Mercosur).