Key Takeaways
- PI AgSciences received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) federal registration for PHC68949, a biochemical technology for crop defense.
- The product targets parasitic nematodes using the company's proprietary PREtec™ peptide platform.
- PHC68949 is the first foliar-applied peptide active ingredient for nematode defense and will also be available as a seed treatment.
- This approval marks the third active ingredient PI AgSciences has commercialized in the United States.
- The technology is already in use in Brazil and Mexico, with U.S. distribution planned through partners like Wilbur-Ellis.
PI AgSciences to Commercialize New Peptide Technology in U.S.
PI AgSciences, Inc. has announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted federal registration for PHC68949. This biochemical technology is designed to defend crops against parasitic nematodes. The registration allows the company to provide U.S. growers with a solution based on its patented PREtec™ (Plant Response Elicitor Technology) peptide platform.
“Parasitic nematodes pose substantial risk for growers. Their impact results in billions of dollars of lost revenue due to reduced crop production and harvest quality,” said Jagresh Rana, CEO, Brands at PI AgSciences. “We're happy to bring this unique technology and solution to our U.S. growers to manage parasitic nematode challenges. It represents a major advancement that will be an impactful addition to their crop protection practices.”
Technical Specifications of PHC68949
The technology functions as a defense activator, a class of chemistry that stimulates the internal defense responses of a plant. Specifically, PHC68949 utilizes Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR).
