SAL, KingAgroot jointly launch series of new patented herbicides—Jingjinkaili

Weeds are some of the most harmful organisms to crops, easily causing yield and quality declines. According to the International Herbicide-Resistant Weed Database, there have been reports of 530 herbicide-resistant weed biotypes globally, spanning 272 weed species (155 dicotyledonous and 117 monocotyledonous). Weeds have evolved resistance mechanisms to 168 different herbicides belonging to 21 out of 31 known herbicidal action sites, impacting 72 countries and 100 crops around the world.

China is one of the countries that has been severely affected by weed resistance. In recent years, the issues of herbicide-resistant weeds and aggressive weeds have become increasingly prominent. Farmers face many challenges in weed management, which are:

• The herbicide market faces challenges in updating varieties promptly and struggles with the development of new compounds.

• Agronomic methods, such as crop coverage and reduced tillage, accelerate the resistance evolution of weed populations.

• The prolonged and extensive use of herbicides with a single mode of action has greatly contributed to the proliferation and rampant development of weed resistance.

• Improper herbicide selection and usage lead to frequent phytotoxicity issues, necessitating the development of safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly herbicide varieties.

• The changing climate, including El Niño, has made the safe use of herbicides more difficult.

Chinese companies are leading global pesticide innovation. Currently, China’s pesticide industry has established a landscape where generic and innovative products coexist. Breakthroughs in new processes and technologies, such as chemical synthesis and biological fermentation, are being made frequently. More than 50 new pesticides with independent intellectual property rights, including dufulin, cyetpyrafen, cypyrafluone and bipyrazone, have been developed. Additionally, over 90% of existing pesticide varieties have been localized. Data indicates that out of the 59 pesticide varieties approved by ISO worldwide between 2018 and 2023, Chinese companies have developed 32, representing 54%.

HPPD inhibitor herbicides have wide market prospects. With the further commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops in China, the large-scale adoption of herbicide-tolerant GM crops is imminent. Glyphosate will benefit from the adoption of glyphosate-tolerant GM crops, potentially leading to an annual increased demand of 50,000 to 80,000 tons. HPPD inhibitor herbicides, such as mesotrione, isoxaflutole, and topramezone, are expected to see a significant increase in usage due to slow resistance development. In conclusion, HPPD inhibitor herbicides, as key herbicide targets, have promising application prospects and significant market growth potential.

SAL and KingAgroot form a strategic partnership, synergizing their strengths to create a ″national team" for pesticide distribution and a ″leading pesticide innovation platform″

Qingdao KingAgroot CropScience Co., Ltd., (KingAgroot) is a leading global innovator that integrates compound development and biotechnological breeding. In the field of new pesticide development, KingAgroot has successfully launched four patented compounds, which are cypyrafluone, bipyrazone, tripyrasulfone, and fenpyrazone. In 2024, the company’s new products, flufenoximacil, fluchloraminopyr-tefuryl, and flusulfinam, will also be commercialized in China. By 2027, KingAgroot is predicted to have launched many new patented compounds, such as broclozone, cinflubrolin, and the insecticide, isoflualanam, generating strong impetus for global agricultural plant protection development.

Sino-Agri Leading Biosciences Co., Ltd., (SAL), a leading domestic agricultural chemical distributor, focuses on global pesticide distribution and plant protection technical services, with extensive experience in product operation and brand building. The company has a pesticide application R&D center, a plant protection technical center, an advanced pesticide packaging and formulation base, and a frontline technical services team for plant protection, offering comprehensive and efficient crop health solutions and professional services.

SAL has consistently focused on integrating product resources from reputable domestic and international pesticide formulation manufacturers to offer farmers safe, environmentally friendly, low-toxic, and efficient agricultural chemical products and services. Recently, SAL formed a strategic partnership with KingAgroot to introduce a new series of patented herbicides known as Jingjinkaili. This collaboration enables SAL to utilize its robust distribution channels and service strengths in pesticide distribution, and KingAgroot to contribute its innovative patented compounds and transgenic technology expertise, to maximize resource compatibility and synergy. The goal is to generate value for partners and farmers, achieving a win-win for all stakeholders.

Jingjinkaili – Product Features and Advantages

Product Name: Jingjinkaili

Content:

Active ingredient: fenpyrazone

Brand: Jingjinkaili^® (6% fenpyrazone OD)

Category: Third-generation fluorine-containing novel patented HPPD inhibitor herbicide.

Characteristics: KingAgroot’s patented compound with a 20-year patent protection period.

Applicability:

Highly effective against a variety of weeds in corn fields, including grass weeds such as Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa, Eleusine, Panicum miliaceum L., Panicum miliaceum L.var., P.miliaceum var. ruderale Kitag, Setaria faberi R. A. W. Herrmann, Setaria glauca, Chloris virgata, and Digitaria ischaemum, and annual broadleaf weeds such as Chenopodium album，Abutilon theophrasti，Amaranthus retroflexus, Portulaca oleracea, cocklebur, and Solanum nigrum.

Advantages:

1. Novel and stable product: Fenpyrazone is a third generation HPPD inhibitor herbicide developed by KingAgroot. Its new chemical structure containing fluorine offers higher activity, stability, and balanced action.

2. Extensive spectrum of weed control: Fenpyrazone offers a wider and more balanced spectrum of control on grass weeds compared to its predecessors. It effectively manages most annual weeds in corn fields, providing rapid and thorough results without the regrowth of weeds.

3. Fenpyrazone exhibits no cross-resistance with nicosulfuron and high efficacy against resistant Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa, Eleusine, Eleusine, Panicum miliaceum L., Setaria glauca, and redroot foxtail, making it a reliable tool for managing resistant weeds in corn fields.

4. Enhanced Safety: Unlike nicosulfuron, the herbicide does not inhibit seedling growth or interfere with heat accumulation. It can be sprayed across the entire field during the optimal application period, supporting the healthy development of corn seedlings.

Active ingredient: bipyrazone

Brand: Zhongnongmaishi^® (10% bipyrazone OD)

Category: An innovative compound with a new mechanism of action (HPPD).

Characteristics: KingAgroot’s patented compound with a 20-year patent protection period.

Applicability:

Excellent control of broadleaf weeds in wheat fields, highly effective against a variety of weeds, including tansy mustard, shepherd’s purse, sarson, chickweed, Malachium, and Lithospermum arvense.

Advantages:

1. No cross-resistance: Bipyrazone is the first HPPD inhibitor used for broadleaf weed control in wheat domestically without cross-resistance with existing herbicides.

2. Wide spectrum of weed control: The herbicide can effectively control a variety of weeds, such as tansy mustard, chickweed, Malachium, shepherd’s purse, Lithospermum arvense, sarson, Lamium amplexicaule, Euphorbia helioscopia, Geranium carolinianum, and Vicia sativa L.

3. Enhanced safety: Bipyrazone is naturally safe for wheat without the need for adding safeners. It has demonstrated excellent safety when sprayed on the stems and leaves of winter wheat at different stages, from the three-leaf to jointing stages.

4. Good compatibility: Bipyrazone can be mixed with MCPA to boost its effectiveness on resistant shepherd’s purse or combined with fluroxypyr to enhance the rapid effect on resistant cleavers. It also combines easily with other grass herbicides, such as mesosulfuron-methyl cypyrafluone and clodinafop-propargyl.

Opening a new chapter of strategic cooperation to drive high-quality development in China’s pesticide industry

Comprehensive strategic cooperation benefits end farmers with high-quality crop protection solutions

Having a solid foundation in strategic partnerships, SAL and KingAgroot have established a strong alliance. This agreement marks a fresh start for both sides and will further deepen their extensive strategic cooperation, to achieve mutual benefits and success. For SAL, the addition of the Jingjinkaili product line not only significantly complements its portfolio in the corn herbicide sector, but it also helps it penetrate and expand further into the herbicide market. This addition will better serve farmers by providing more efficient weed control solutions. Both parties will also engage in comprehensive strategic cooperation in areas such as formulation development, supply chain management, and more in both domestic and international markets, to achieve high-quality development for mutual gains and generate increased commercial value.

A beneficial attempt in pursuit of high-quality development in China’s pesticide industry

Although China is the world’s largest producer of pesticides, its independent development and ingredient innovation capacities remains weak, lacking a stable foundation. Additionally, the development of new pesticide varieties has been slow, and product upgrades are sluggish, resulting in the inability of Chinese pesticide products to advance towards independently developed pesticides with high technological content and added value. Therefore, Chinese pesticide companies must achieve technological breakthroughs to change this situation. The collaboration between SAL and KingAgroot, through resource sharing in product innovation and market branding, aims to establish a mutually beneficial strategic partnership based on their respective industry strengths. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the advancement of China’s pesticide industry from the traditional imitation-based development system and will be a crucial attempt to seek a path for the high-quality development of China’s pesticide industry.

Optimizing pesticide product structure to embrace development opportunities for efficient, low-toxic, and low-residue pesticides

In recent years, regulations covering highly toxic and high-risk pesticides have become increasingly stringent around the world. China has been actively responding to global calls for banning or restricting the use of highly toxic and high-risk pesticides. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and other relevant authorities have issued a series of announcements over the years to ban or restrict the use of certain pesticides, with the aim of accelerating the phase-out of highly toxic, high-risk, and high-residue pesticides, promoting the upgrading of pesticide product structures, and creating a broader market space for the promotion of new, efficient, low-toxic, and low-residue pesticides. These measures will ensure the sustainable development of the pesticide industry.

The development and industrialization of environmentally friendly chemical pesticides is a key area of focus. HPPD inhibitor herbicides, recognized for their high efficiency, low toxicity, safety, low resistance, environmental friendliness, and safety for subsequent crops, have emerged as a notable market trend. They have been leading the herbicide market in recent years and are anticipated to witness promising growth opportunities in the future.