May 4, 2015

 

Syngenta's 'breakthrough' corn herbicide gets EPA approval

 

 

Swiss crop chemicals maker Syngenta said it had received US Environmental Protection Agency approval for its breakthrough corn herbicide Acuron™, adding the first sales of the product to US growers would take place this year.

 

Syngenta said Acuron has been shown to improve control of more than 70 weeds that are increasingly difficult for growers to manage, such as Palmer amaranth and Giant Ragweed. In the US, resistance to herbicide, notably glyphosate, is increasing with infestations of broadleaf weeds in corn up 50% in the past four years.

 

Acuron, Syngenta said, incorporates bicyclopyrone, a novel chemical ingredient that is combined with three other active ingredients to target a wider range of weeds than any existing product. "The four active ingredients and three modes of action in ACURON deliver a multi-targeted approach to weed control", it said.

 

Davor Pisk, chief operating officer, said: "As current herbicides such as glyphosate lose effectiveness, corn farmers have to spend considerably more per acre on crop protection. The most cost-effective solution is to use a high-performing pre-emergent herbicide that stops weeds before they start. We're delighted that we can now offer Acuron to US corn farmers. It sets a new standard for weed control and will be critical in helping farmers make corn production more sustainable".

 

Syngenta sees Acuron's peak sales potential at more than $250 million.

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