Syngenta to develop bio-nematicides with Pasteuria Bioscience

Syngenta just announced a partnership with Pasteuria Bioscience Inc., a U.S.-based biotechnology company, to develop bio-nematicide products. The first product the two companies will focus on is a seed treatment to control soybean cyst nematodes (SCN). They hope to launch a SCN product in two years.

The two companies will use a naturally occurring soil bacteria called Pasteuria in the new seed treatment and other products. The Pasteuria group of bacteria controls nematodes. Syngenta reports that this bacteria will complement the company’s existing Avicta nematicide products.

"This global technology platform will offer growers a novel biological mode of action for nematode control,” said Christoph Goppelsroeder, Syngenta global head of seed care. “Recent field trial results in U.S. soybeans have shown encouraging results, demonstrating that this technology combined with Syngenta’s seed treatment expertise can provide growers with a significant opportunity to increase their yields.”