NewLeaf’s corn root worm repelling biological shows up strong in 2024

Just one season into its commercial release, NewLeaf Symbiotics’ U.S. EPA-registered bioinsecticide TS201 – scientifically-proven to repel corn rootworm – is turning heads and yield monitors. Planted on nearly 450,000 acres in 2024, this first-of-its-kind biocontrol option delivered an average 9 bu/A* yield advantage over Grower Standard Practice. These results demonstrate the data-backed, performance-driven biologicals the industry has come to expect from NewLeaf’s industry-leading PPFM technology (Pink-Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs).

″Corn rootworm has proven to be an unpredictable yield robber for growers,″ says Aaron Kelley, Ph.D., Chief Commercial Officer with NewLeaf. ″What makes TS201 standout is its performance with or without corn rootworm (CRW) pressure, something growers can benefit from when margins are tight. We’ve paired it with a specific-to-corn PPFM-powered biostimulant that helps boost yields even without CRW larvae feeding. It’s about helping give growers that return on investment they need.″

NewLeaf first launched the planter box-ready CRW bioinsecticide in Spring 2024, after years of rigorous testing in labs, greenhouses and in-field trials. Feedback from growers has been overwhelmingly positive, with the roots speaking for themselves.

″TS201 is proving that it can win over even the most skeptical farmers,″ adds Kelley. ″Last season, we ran TS201 trials with two national corn yield contest ‘yield chasers.’ They do a lot of technology trials and they’re not easy to impress. They’ve both announced that TS201 is part of their grower standard practice for 2025. That’s a pretty big testament to the efficacy of our technology.″

Applied at planting, TS201 works with the plant’s natural defenses to repel corn rootworm larvae from feeding on the root. In the event of rootworm feeding, the technology has also demonstrated root regrowth capabilities, helping a plant recover from the damage.

NewLeaf’s PPFM-powered corn biostimulant, which comes with TS201, helps deliver improved nutrient uptake during critical stages of development and protects against abiotic stress. The unique microbes colonize the plant, providing benefits all season long.

The revolutionary TS201 EPA-registered corn bioinsecticide technology is available now for 2025 under an expanding number of products through NewLeaf’s partners.

*Results of on-farm field trials equal to or greater than 10 acres across 81 locations in 2023-2024. Comparisons of TS201 + grower standard practice to grower standard practice alone. Individual results will vary based on pressure in each field. Trial results: corn (win performance = 9 Bu/A; N = 81 trials)