Unparalleled Standards In Innovation For Fungicides
BASF has been supporting farmers and farming for more than 100 years and we know how important it is to keep innovating. From an early stage on we actively steer our R&D pipeline towards ever more innovative solutions that safeguard yields while meeting increasingly stringent environmental and safety requirements, anticipating future customer and societal needs. BASF’s research is pioneering the search for new active ingredients in the fight against fungal diseases. For years, our products have been setting new standards in this area.
While the global demand for more high-quality food increases, fungi present a major source of plant and yield damage for farmers all around the globe, causing a threat for their yields and the global food supply.
To combat these plant diseases, innovation is important. BASF has a strong track record of success developing major innovations in important fungicide classes and is continuously researching new active ingredients to meet the future needs of farmers.
BASF has been highly present with impactful developments in the chemical class of Azoles: the introduction of epoxiconazole marked a decisive chapter in the control of yellow rust, brown rust and Septoria tritici. The more recent launch of Revysol® with an outstanding biological performance and a favorable regulatory profile set another new benchmark in disease control.
BASF was at the forefront of innovation when strobilurin fungicides were introduced, developing kresoxim-methyl as the first active ingredient in this class. This allowed BASF to launch the first strobilurin on the market – a milestone in the history of fungicides. We continued to focus on developing new strobilurines, developing F 500®, which controls even more fungal pathogens in a greater number of cultivated crops.
In the class of Carboxamides, Boscalid proved its effectiveness, working as a fungicide especially on grains and specialty crops, while Xemium® helps farmers around the world to control key fungal diseases in various crops, including soybean rust and Septoria in grains.
BASF is also doing extensive efforts in R&D of BioSolutions, as complementary tools to our conventional portfolio, to enable growers meet the challenges of modern crop protection: from consumer food safety demands to ever evolving pests and diseases. BioSolutions are often exempt from Maximum Residue Level (MRL) classification, helping growers manage the demands of food retailers and consumers to further optimize residue levels on crops.
Innovation as key differentiator
Our latest developments in different chemical classes highlight our innovative approach when creating new solutions for antifungal diseases.
In order to develop Revysol®, BASF established an innovative screening approach, to ensure that the new azole provides a high biological effectiveness as well as the highest level of regulatory standards.
In the chemical class of strobilurines, BASF has done continuous research, developing compounds with novel chemistries for a better control of fungal diseases. Pavecto® differs from existing QoI fungicides, as it controls pathogens which have developed strobilurin resistance. F 500® provides effective and long-lasting preventive and curative effects, even at a low application rates.
BASF also distinguished itself in the class of carboxamides, with the innovative qualities of Xemium®: a high intrinsic activity against a broad range of fungi and a unique mobility in the whole plant, making this active ingredient a reliable partner for the longterm success of farmers.
The active ingredient Serifel®, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain MBI600, forms a shield of protection against several types of disease organisms including Botrytis, powdery mildew, Alternaria, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia, for a broad range of crops. Environmental compatibility allows Serifel® to easily be integrated into a disease management program without limiting worker re-entry and harvesting schedule.
Our strong focus on research will continue. More active ingredients will be developed to control diseases and to offer a broad product portfolio of fungicide solutions for farmers helping them to better balance agricultural productivity, environmental protection and society’s needs.
Reliable resistance management
Resistance development – associated with the use of fungicides – is a well-known risk. To maintain long-term efficacy, growers, advisory and manufacturers are required to use active ingredients as part of the resistance management responsibly.
Comparison of Market Standard vs. Revysol in wheat field trial:
Our product stewardship program includes clear strategies for minimizing the risk of resistance development. We continue to explore new options, as well as monitoring the ongoing efficacy of our products and providing recommended spray programs under commercial conditions. This allows us both to measure the efficacy of resistance management and to provide growers with updated recommendations and best practice guidelines.
