Syngenta launches new herbicide molecule bicyclopyrone in Brazil

Syngenta unveiled the groundbreaking and innovative Bicyclopyrone molecule during the 2024 Brazilian Congress of Weed Science, with special coverage by AgroPages.

This latest innovation features a "broad spectrum and key characteristics for weed control in various crops, including the most challenging ones in sugarcane cultivation," the manufacturer said.

Lupérsio Garcia, Technical Market Development for sugarcane at Syngenta, explained that this innovation allows for the effective treatment of diverse weed groups. 

"An example is the control of difficult-to-manage grasses and broadleaf weeds. We are talking about a complete product that can be used year-round in sugarcane, with safety," he noted. 

According to him, this new product can also be combined with other molecules, marking a significant shift in sugarcane weed control.

The major challenge in this crop is the accumulation of straw, and Bicyclopyrone stands out for the physical and chemical properties that enable it to penetrate this layer. 

"We are introducing a technology that will meet this challenge, preserving productivity without causing damage," Garcia assured.

The market has not seen such a wave of new developments in weed control for a long time, which is why the President of the Brazilian Congress of Weed Science, Caio Carbonari, welcomed the arrival of the Bicyclopyrone molecule. 

"It will be valuable in various markets for Brazilian agriculture, especially in a scenario of increasing weed complexity and advancing resistance," Carbonari said.

He emphasized that the need for technologies to assist in this control is extremely important for the current state of Brazilian agriculture, where these weeds have adapted very quickly. 

"Undoubtedly, bringing new tools that can contribute to this management is of great importance, adding competitiveness to our agriculture, reducing costs, and providing more productive efficiency," he concluded.

'Clean Crop Management' Program

In addition to product and technology launches, Syngenta presented the "Clean Crop Management" program. This program focused on "good agronomic practices and was created to offer effective technologies for controlling invasive species in various cropping systems."

One of Syngenta's major highlights at the event was FLEXSTAR, a herbicide specially developed for broadleaf control. This is a conditionally selective product with systemic action, composed of substituted glycine (glyphosate) and diphenyl ether (fomesafen).

"Weed resistance to herbicides is a growing challenge in Brazil, requiring increasingly effective management strategies from producers," commented Murilo Borges, Product Marketing Manager at Syngenta Crop Protection in Brazil.

Borges emphasized the need for a "unified approach in the field that values molecules and innovations in a more assertive manner." 

"Controlling weeds is not just about using glyphosate; control has become management. Our proposal is to understand our enemy and the best tools to use, which are not just herbicides," the Syngenta manager stated. Studies show that the cost of production in fields infested with resistant weeds "can increase significantly, impacting farmers' profitability," he added.

He cited data from Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation), which estimated that losses caused by weeds can exceed 90% in cases where no control is implemented, with average losses ranging from 13% to 15% in grain production.

The company also highlighted the selective pre-emergent herbicide EDDUS (fomesafen + s-metolachlor) for soybean crops at the event. 

Syngenta presented the herbicide Calaris for corn, described as the "evolution of atrazine," as it also incorporates mesotrione into its formulation. The technology highlighted at the 2024 Brazilian Congress of Weed Science for wheat and barley was Axial (pinoxaden + cloquintocet-mexyl).

These technologies are part of the "company's diversified portfolio, focused on meeting the specific demands of each crop and promoting more productive and sustainable agriculture," the multinational said. 

"Syngenta understands the importance of providing producers with tools that enable more assertive and sustainable management. That is why our efforts are focused on ensuring that we can offer solutions that not only increase productivity but also protect the environment and future generations," Murilo Borges said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)

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