Key Takeaways:
- Syngenta has announced the global launch of VIRESTINA™ technology, the world's first selective herbicide to control resistant grass weeds in soybean and cotton in nearly 40 years.
- Argentina became the first country to approve the technology, with Brazil, Australia, the U.S., and Canada planned as next markets.
- VIRESTINA™ is effective against grass weeds resistant to commonly used herbicides including glyphosate and clethodim.
- The active ingredient, metproxybicyclone, breaks down rapidly in soil and is safe to use over crops, offering a reduced environmental footprint.
- Syngenta developed the technology in approximately 10 years, faster than the typical 12–14 year industry timeline.
Syngenta Launches VIRESTINA™, a New Herbicide Targeting Resistant Grass Weeds in Soybean and Cotton
Syngenta has announced the global launch of VIRESTINA™ technology (active ingredient: metproxybicyclone), the world's first selective herbicide to control resistant grass weeds in soybean and cotton in nearly 40 years. Argentina became the first country in the world to approve the technology, with additional registrations planned for Brazil, Australia, the United States, and Canada.
The Resistant Weed Challenge
Herbicide resistance is a growing problem in global agriculture, now officially reported in 75 countries and affecting farmers of more than 100 crops. Grass weeds account for 40 percent of the 273 weed species affected. Resistant weeds survive herbicide applications and compete with crops for nutrients, sunlight, and water. They also act as a pathway for pests, viruses, fungi, and bacteria that can infect crops, reducing harvest yields and diminishing the value of agricultural farmland.
Over recent decades, limited herbicide technologies have successfully reached the market, while the ability of resistant weeds to metabolize and develop cross-resistance has further compounded the challenge for growers.
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