Key Takeaways
- ADAMA Ltd. announced the launch of Marathon®, its first Pyrasulfotole-based herbicide, available to Australian cereal growers for the 2026 season, announced April 27, 2026.
- Marathon® delivers broadleaf weed control in wheat and barley and incorporates Mefenpyr-diethyl as a built-in safener, powered by ADAMA’s patented high-load EC formulation technology.
- ADAMA’s high-load formulation technology maintains physical stability under low- and high-temperature conditions, enabling lower application volumes, simplified mixing, and fewer containers and transport requirements.
- Pyrasulfotole is noted for strong tank mix compatibility, resistance management applications, and use within Integrated Weed Management (IWM) programs for long-term field performance in cereal crops.
- ADAMA plans to introduce additional Pyrasulfotole-based formulations and mixtures for regional markets including Australia, Canada, and the United States in the coming years.
ADAMA Launches Marathon Herbicide for Australian Cereal Growers
ADAMA Ltd. (SZSE: 000553), a global crop protection company, announced the launch of Marathon®, its first Pyrasulfotole-based herbicide, on April 27, 2026. The product will be available to Australian cereal growers for the 2026 season, marking ADAMA’s first commercialization of its Pyrasulfotole formulation technology. The company has indicated the launch is the first step toward a broader rollout of Pyrasulfotole-based solutions for cereal crops globally in the coming years.
Marathon® is designed to deliver broadleaf weed control in wheat and barley. It incorporates Mefenpyr-diethyl as a built-in safener and is powered by ADAMA’s patented high-load formulation technology, which ADAMA states supports strong crop tolerance while ensuring weeds remain fully susceptible to the active ingredient.
Formulation Technology and Crop Safety Profile
ADAMA’s proprietary high-load EC formulation technology enables physical stability under both low- and high-temperature storage and handling conditions. According to ADAMA, this translates for growers into lower application volumes, simplified mixing, and fewer containers and transport requirements, with the company citing benefits for both operational efficiency and on-farm sustainability.
“Pyrasulfotole is a powerful tool for cereal growers, and our high-load formulation technology allows us to unlock even more value from this proven active ingredient. It enables consistent performance across conditions, greater flexibility in tank mixes, and a more efficient experience for growers — while also serving as a foundation for future Pyrasulfotole-based solutions in additional markets,” said Germain Boulay, Head of Global Herbicides, ADAMA.
Resistance Management and Tank Mix Applications
Pyrasulfotole is noted for its compatibility in tank mixes, helping growers expand their weed-control spectrum and manage mixed or difficult weed populations in a single pass. The active ingredient is also used within Integrated Weed Management (IWM) programs as a resistance management tool, supporting long-term field performance in cereal crops.
ADAMA Expands Pyrasulfotole Pipeline for Global Cereal Markets
The Marathon® launch is the first step in ADAMA’s development of a Pyrasulfotole-based product pipeline. Leveraging its global R&D capabilities and advanced formulation platforms, the company plans to introduce additional formulations and mixtures tailored to regional agronomic needs in Australia, Canada, and the United States over the coming years, with the stated aim of further strengthening its global cereals offering.
