Dow’s Insect Resistant Soybean Trait
Conkesta will be the brand name for Dow AgroSciences’ novel insect-resistant trait that, when commercialized, will provide soybean farmers with the broadest spectrum for insect control against lepidopteran pests.
Upon regulatory approvals, Conkesta will be offered as a stack with the company’s Enlist soybean traits in elite and high-yielding varieties.
Bayer Seed Treatment Fights SDS and Nematodes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved Bayer CropScience’s application for the registration of ILeVO, the only seed treatment that protects the root system against infections caused by the Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) fungus and has activity against dangerous nematodes in the seed zone.
“Our field trials have shown that soybean seeds treated with ILeVO early in the season give valuable yield benefit across geographies and seed varieties,” says Jennifer Riggs, Bayer SeedGrowth product development manager. “Bayer CropScience is very excited to bring the first seed treatment fungicide/nematicide solution for SDS and major nematodes to the market.” ILeVO is available for the 2015 growing season.
Xtend Soybeans Clear Hurdle
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), concluding that Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans and Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton should be fully deregulated.
“The final EIS moves us one step closer to the introduction of Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans, paving the way to provide access to dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton,” says Miriam Paris, Monsanto Xtend system launch manager.
Before reaching its decision, USDA considered nearly 5,000 comments submitted by farmers, academic and scientific experts and other key stakeholders. An overwhelming majority of those who provided feedback during the public comment period voiced support for the trait technology.
“This technology will be another tool in farmer’s toolbox, enabling us to have another mode of action in the fight against resistant weeds,” says Wade Cowan, a farmer from Brownfield, Texas. “Weed resistance contributes to smaller yields, and this dicamba technology will help me better manage weeds.”
