Dow AgroSciences and DuPont announced they have entered into a commercial cross-licensing agreement that will enable the two companies to deliver expanded herbicide-tolerant soy options to farmers in the next decade.  

 

Under the agreement, Dow AgroSciences is licensing non-exclusively its proprietary herbicide tolerant trait technology for soy to DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred. In addition, Pioneer is licensing non-exclusively its proprietary Optimum GAT trait for soy to Dow AgroSciences.

 

Both companies have given the other rights to stack additional traits with their respective technology.

 

Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

 

''This agreement gives us a new weed control option to help our customers meet their individual needs,'' said Paul Schickler, president of Pioneer.

 

Dow AgroSciences expects to submit herbicide tolerant trait technology data to US regulatory agencies this year. Dow AgroSciences anticipates commercialisation early in the next decade pending regulatory authorisations.

 

The new herbicide tolerant trait technology allows growers to continue farming the way they want, but with improved weed control capabilities and performance. The system is designed to provide excellent control of glyphosate-resistant and other hard-to-control broadleaf weeds like morning glory, pigweeds including palmer amaranth, lambsquarters, marestail, waterhemp, giant and common ragweed, and velvetleaf. In anticipation of regulatory approvals for its herbicide tolerant trait technology, Dow AgroSciences is developing new and improved herbicide solutions based on the 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid technology growers have used for more than 60 years.  

 

When stacked together, the Optimum GAT trait from Pioneer and the new herbicide tolerant trait technology being developed by Dow AgroSciences would produce soy that are tolerant to 2,4-D, glyphosate and ALS herbicides. The Optimum GAT trait from Pioneer provides tolerance to glyphosate and the ALS class of herbicides.

 

Optimum GAT soy have received US regulatory approvals and a 2011 introduction is anticipated upon regulatory approvals in key importing countries. DuPont also anticipates the introduction of five new ALS-based herbicide products for Optimum GAT soy, including DuPont Freestyle, Trigate, Traverse, Instigate, and Diligent herbicides, upon US and state approvals.

 

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, US, is an agricultural company that provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology.

 

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customised solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.