BASF keeps research pipeline flowing

DECATUR, Ill. — An expanded soybean portfolio, new herbicide formulation and a new trait on the near horizon are flowing through the pipeline fueling the future of agriculture.

“We really focus on new varieties, new genetics, thinking about what are the native trait packages to help growers deal with the current challenges they’re facing,” said Bryan Perry, U.S. head of seeds and traits for BASF Agricultural Solutions.

BASF will roll out 15 new varieties in 2026 for its Xitavo soybeans after releasing 19 for this past growing season.

“We’ll be bringing forward anywhere from relative maturities of 4.8 all the way to a 0.0 for those folks way up in the Dakotas,” Perry said.

Xitavo brand soybeans with Enlist E3 technology was first launched for the 2021 growing season.

New Trait

A new trait for soybean cyst nematode, the No. 1 yield-robbing soybean pest, is projected for a 2028 launch.

“Nemasphere will be the first-ever biotech trait or Bt trait. There are a lot of native traits, but they’re starting to wane in efficacy. That’s a another BASF innovations that’s on the horizon,” Perry said.

SCN has developed resistance over the standard breeding traits of Peking and PI88788.

“If you look back at PI88788 or Peking, it’s been somewhere between 30 to 40 years since a new trait has been to the market on the native side and never any Bt traits or biotech or genetically-modified traits,” Perry said.

“We’re excited about that, but that’ll also bring some new herbicide tolerance with it. We’re doing testing now. There’ll be HPPD herbicides that will be able to be used. It’s built on the Enlist platform, so, that’ll continue to bring in new innovations.”

Other Yield Protection

Perry said one of the aspects he enjoys about being a part of BASF is “it’s about the acre.”

“It’s seed treatments like ILeVO. It’s Xitavo soybeans. You talk about herbicides like Liberty Ultra’s a new formulation (a next-generation glufosinate herbicide) that we launched this year to help growers,” he said.

“Zidua Plus is a pre-plant and post-emergence-flexible residual weed control option in soybeans.

“You’ve got Surtain herbicide for corn new this year, a PPO residual with innovative solid encapsulation technology that allows for pre- or early post-application.

“We also have our Revysol fungicide family. It’s kind of that continuous innovation pipeline that we’ve got.”

Resistance Management

Herbicide-resistant weeds are common across the Corn Belt with some species developing resistance to multiple modes of action.

Perry was asked how BASF is addressing this challenge farmers are facing.

“If you think about resistance, there’s kind of the today, mid-term and tomorrow,” he said. “So, today looking at new herbicides with our existing portfolio, how do you mix and match different combinations and change maybe application flexibility?

“What’s neat about Surtain is that it basically is taking pyroxasulfone, Zidua, widely used, best residual herbicide on the market, plus our Kixor franchise, which would be Sharpen.

“The problem with the saflufenacil component was it couldn’t be applied when the corn emerged. Surtain has encapsulated that technology. Now it can be applied pre-, pre-plant and early post.

“There’s basically no PPOs used in corn today. It’s a lot of HPPD reliance. So, we’ve continued to focus on shorter term — what are different AIs, tools in the toolbox, that we can use to diversify our herbicides in corn and soybeans?”

Longer term, new AIs are on the horizon that could, as well as BASF’s new mode of action that’s in the pipeline.

“That’s much further out,” Perry said.

“From a seed perspective, when we think about our Nemasphere launch, that’s just the beginning because by mid- next decade, 2034, we have a PPO trait. We have new PPOs in our pipeline that control grasses and broadleaves and some PPOs that control amaranthus species that is currently resistant to PPO. Even though it’s a PPO, it works in a different way.

“So, we’re really attacking it. I’d call it short, mid and then the far longer term is what I call the Holy Grail looking for that new mode of action and bringing new herbicide trait technologies that’ll allow those chemistries to be used.”

Investment

Perry noted, among BASF investments, 11 cents of every $1 that a farmer spends on their products goes toward research and development for seed, seed treatment and crop protection products.

“When producers buy a BASF product, they should feel good knowing that it’s going back into innovation and fueling the future of agriculture,” he said.