Bayer's new US herbicide combo

Bayer CropScience plans to introduce its new maize herbicide, thiencarbazone-methyl, in combination with the established active ingredient, isoxaflutole, and the new safener, cyprosulfamide, in the US in 2009, subject to approval. The EPA recently scheduled a registration decision for thiencarbazone-methyl on maize and other crops for the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

Thiencarbazone-methyl is a sulfonyl-amino-carbonyl-triazolinone herbicide that controls grasses and broadleaf weeds by acetolactate synthase inhibition. Bayer presented details of the ai at the US North Central Weed Science Society meeting in St Louis, Missouri, last month. Thiencarbazone-methyl is effective against maize weeds at rates as low as 8 g ai/ha, Bayer points out. However, it will recommend that the herbicide be applied at up to 15 g ai/ha for post-emergence applications and up to 37 g ai/ha for pre-emergence use. The thiencarbazone-methyl/isoxaflutole combination can be applied prior to planting up to the second leaf-collar stage of maize growth, Bayer notes.

 

Thiencarbazone-methyl is one of four new herbicides in late-stage development that Bayer plans to introduce between 2008 and 2012. "Our aim is to further expand our leading position [in herbicides] by launching products with the new safener technology, in particular in corn," says Christophe Dumont, head of Bayer's herbicide business. In addition, the company plans to launch the maize herbicide, tembotrione, and the small-grain cereal herbicide, pyrasulfotole, in the US this year, following approvals in 2007.