HPPD-inhibitor resistant trait, new corn rootworm-resistant trait in the works

There’s a flurry of new products coming down the pike from agricultural seed and chemical companies in the next few years. Last September, Bayer CropScience invited journalists worldwide to its corporate headquarters in Monheim, Germany, for a look at what it has coming down the pike later this decade.

Bayer CropScience has stepped up trait development with completion of its purchase of Athenix in 2009. Company officials say this North Carolina firm gives Bayer the platform to develop future herbicide tolerant and insect- and nematode-resistant traits. Traits and other technology you’ll see include:

·      A new glyphosate tolerance trait called GlyTol set to appear in cotton in 2011 in the United States. The glyphosate-tolerant trait uses a different gene and promoter than the Roundup Ready glyphosate-tolerant trait.

·      Pending regulatory approval, Bayer plans to debut a soybean trait in 2015 tolerant to HPPD-inhibitor herbicides now used on corn like BalanceFlexx. This gives another mode of action that will help farmers manage weeds resistant to glyphosate, say Bayer officials.