Monsanto announces 3rd generation GMO soybean in Brazil

 

The third generation of genetically-modified soybean should arrive in the Brazilian market by October, 2020, when the import release will be confirmed by China, the largest buyer of the oilseed from the South American country. 

 

According to the Monsanto forecast, the “Intacta 2 Xtend platform” should get approval from the National Technical Commission of Biosecurity by April, 2018.
 

After that, the Intacta 2 Xtend will be developed at stations and experimental fields of Monsanto in October.
 

 

 

Thereafter, in October, 2019, the genetically-modified soybean will continue to be developed, tested, and adapted with experimental crops of partners, such as Embrapa, TMG, Nidera, Don Mario, Syngenta, Pioneer, Bayer, and FTS.

 

“We have a vision that it will be the third soybean revolution in Brazil, a new era. It is composed of several pillars. It is the latest generation biotechnology with all the expertise that Monsanto has. The plant is tolerant to the dicamba herbicide. Three proteins (Cry1A105 + Cry2Ab2 + Cry1Ac) will increase the protection that the current Intacta already has against caterpillars. It includes the gene of Spodoptera,” Andrés Menezes, herbicide manager of Monsanto, told exclusively to AgroPages.

 

Another thing to note, he said, was the robust germplasm bank with advanced genetics that Monsanto has constructed with RR soybean and Intacta, which currently represent over 50 per cent of the Brazilian soybean surface. “Not only do we have our own germplasm banks Monsoy and Agroeste, but we also have partnerships with the best professionals in the country to adapt soybean for each location,” Menezes remarked.

 

“Another important triumph is the wide control of weed with the possibility of applying Dicamba over the crop. This herbicide is a very important tool, which makes a difference against Amaranthus Palmeri in the United States. It also has another advantage. The oxine from the soil effect can prevent emergence of new plants with wide leaves and can cause an effect on weeds with narrow leaves,” he added.

 

One more remarkable feature of Intacta 2 Xtend is its control against a wide range of caterpillars. “According to our studies, 96 per cent of damage done by caterpillars to soybean crops will be prevented by this new technology. This has been done by pyramiding new proteins that go beyond the current protection of Intacta and by including the genus Spodoptera in the spectrum of action of technology,” Menezes noted. 

 

He further emphasized that in order to have this potent protection, “a lot of effort has been put in for smart management”. “We will invest a lot in digital agriculture and training for safe application of Dicamba, mostly by formulation of the third generation, which practically eliminates volatility and also adds accessories for specific points, adjuvants, and others,” he said.