Brazil gives nod for cultivation of WideStrike 3 cotton

02 Sep '18

2 min read

Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, has announced that the Brazilian National Biosafety Technical Committee (CTNBio) issued a positive technical opinion authorising the cultivation and commercialisation of WideStrike 3 cotton in Brazil. This technology will be available for launching in the 2019 growing season in Brazil.

WideStrike 3 is an advanced insect protection pyramid which contains three proteins: Cry1Ac and Cry1F proteins plus a vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip3A) from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). It provides superior season-long protection throughout the cotton plant from a wide spectrum of damaging lepidopteran pests, such as fall armyworm and the American bollworm. Multiple mode of actions can improve resistance management and durability of the technology.

“Brazilian growers need access to advanced technologies with improved performance to maximise yields and extend the longevity of technology,” said Larry Robertson, Corteva Agriscience global portfolio leader – Oilseed Crops. “Widestrike 3 is a new tool to meet growers’ expectations.”

WideStrike 3 has received commercial approval in several countries, and most recently in Brazil. CTNBio is the Brazilian National Biosafety Technical Commission under the ministry of science, technology, innovations and communications (MCTIC). It is responsible for the evaluation of biosafety requirements for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). CTNBio has completed its evaluation of the WideStrike 3 Insect Protection Trait for commercial release and its positive technical opinion authorises the cultivation and commercialisation of this technology in Brazil, said Corteva Agriscience in a press release.

“CTNBio has completed a thorough scientific and technical assessment,” said Robertson. “We are excited to be able to offer Widestrike 3 for use in cotton.”

As part of the responsible development and deployment of leading Bt technologies, Corteva Agriscience is committed to working with Brazilian customers to include cotton products containing the WideStrike 3 as part of an insect resistance management program (IRM). IRM practices include refuge adoption, certified seeds, burndown, seed treatment, scouting for insect pests and controlling insect pests with sprays. Properly managing Bt cotton technology is essential to preserving it as a useful crop protection tool for years to come. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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