Next-generation technology featured on root dig tour

WASHBURN, Ill. — Root digs across five Midwest states were conducted in late July to evaluate the performance of a new mode of action to control corn rootworm.

ProFarm’s new product, Neovo, is a liquid insecticide and nematicide combination with RinoTec technology applied in-furrow at planting at a rate of 20 fluid ounces per acre.

RinoTec is a biocontrol agent produced from a novel bacterial organism found in nature and enhanced through propriety, patented fermentation and processing methods.

The resulting insecticidal and nematocidal property offers a new and unique mode of action with the potential to replace or reduce the use of standard synthetic pesticides used to control soil-dwelling and foliar crop pests on millions of acres around the globe.

The ProFarm group started its root dig tour in Nebraska and worked its way east, evaluating rootworm damage in corn treated with Neovo, growers’ standard treatments and no treatments.

“It’s quite dry in some of Nebraska. So, there’s not much pressure there. As we got to the South Dakota and Minnesota borders July 22, we found the corn rootworm pressure was increasing. There’s enough pressure there to cause economic losses from corn rootworm,” said Robert Blundell, ProFarm Midwest and Southeast field development manager.

The tour moved to Illinois July 23, followed by corn root digs in Indiana.

“We’ve been seeing, particularly this morning and yesterday, that Neovo was either as good as grower standards, if not better, in terms of reducing corn rootworm pressure. We also see a greater root mass and stalk girth, as well, on those plants with Neovo,” Blundell said.

This novel insecticide and nematicide biocontrol agent demonstrates activity against plant-parasitic nematodes, wireworms, whitefly, thrips, mites, lepidopterans, corn rootworm and other costly foliar and soilborne pests.

Anti-Resistance

Over the years, corn rootworm has developed resistance to various seed treatments, Bt traits, crop rotation and the overuse of older chemistries.

In corn-soybean rotations, there have even been documented cases of northern corn rootworm and western corn rootworm variants that lay their eggs in soybeans.

“A dual insecticide/nematicide is pretty rare. There aren’t many companies historically that have been doing that. It has the residual insect control and the safety aspect, as well. In addition, it’s a new mode of action for growers,” Blundell said.

“It is a gut poison for insects, but it’s a different site than both Bt and pyrethroid. The dual insecticide and nematicide control is critical for corn growers and with a new mode of action to reduce dependency on pyrethroids as well as from Bt resistance for corn rootworm.

“It’s also unique in its versatility. It’s applied as a liquid at planting in-furrow. It’s compatible with fertilizers and other crop protection product. It’s compatible with HPPD- and ALS-inhibiting herbicides, as well, so you don’t have to trade off between herbicide and nematicide control.”

Stops Feeding, Repels

Within the soil, RinoTec is absorbed by roots and moves through the seedling’s developing root system, giving protection at a crucial developmental stage.

As a foliar application, RinoTec is active on the plant surface and is transepidermal mobile, moving into the leaf surface structure where it is retained at lethal levels.

When ingested by the pest, it acts as stomach poison, stopping pest feeding and the damage that reduces crop yields and lowers crop quality and marketability.

RinoTec also generates a reaction within the plant roots and soil profile that repels below-ground pests to protect seedlings and prevent continued insect feeding on developing tubers and root crops.

Safety

Another unique aspect of Neovo is its safety aspect.

There are no buffer zone requirements. It’s also not a restricted-use pesticide; therefore, no chemical license or pesticide applicator license is required for purchase.

ProFarm received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Chemistry Challenge Award for Design of Safer and Degradable Chemicals last year for the development of RinoTec technology.

The Green Chemistry Challenge Award presented by the EPA promotes the environmental and economic benefits of developing and implementing novel green chemistry solutions.

The challenge recognizes and rewards innovative technologies that minimize or eliminate the generation and use of hazardous substances, reduce energy consumption and increase sustainability.

As required by the EPA, RinoTec was subjected to multiple toxicity tests by third-party laboratories to assess its risks to human health and non-target organisms, such as birds, fish, aquatic organisms, crops, wild flora and fauna, pollinators and other beneficial insects.

The EPA granted RinoTec technology an exemption from pesticide residue tolerance, confirming the technology’s low risk to farmers, farmworkers and consumers.

Products powered by RinoTec such as Neovo will also have minimal personal protective equipment requirements, a four-hour restricted entry interval and a zero-day pre-harvest interval following application.

2027 Launch

“The federal approval of Neovo was in spring of 2025. So, in 2025 and this year we’ve been doing large-scale grower programs the last two summers for growers to fully understand this product. There will be a full-scale release and it will be available for sale in 2027,” Blundell said.