Dive Brief:
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Corteva AgriScience introduced a pesticide that can protect a variety of food and row crops from nematode damage without compromising soil health.
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The nematicide, called Reklemel active, selectively targets microscopic organisms, requiring less application than other pesticides. It is expected to hit the U.S., India and Mexico markets later this year. It is already for sale in Canada and Australia.
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Reklemel is the result of more than a decade of research and investment, Corteva said. It has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 500,000 metric tons during the next five years.
Dive Insight:
Damage from nematodes, a type of soil-borne parasitic worm, is estimated to affect $80 billion worth of crops each year, according to research from the British Society for Plant Pathology. But the true figure is likely more than that because many growers are unaware of nematodes and the damage they cause.
Typically, nematodes attach themselves to root systems and spread over time, causing plants to show signs of stunted growth, wilting and leaf discoloration. Symptoms can be difficult to detect because they are similar to those associated with nutrient deficiencies in plants.
To address this global challenge, Corteva developed Reklemel to help farmers protect their crops without damaging beneficial organisms in the soil. The active ingredient is one of the first to be registered under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s updated policy that evaluates the effects pesticides may have on endangered species and their habitats.
Reklemel can be applied throughout the plant’s life cycle and protects a wide range of crops, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and row crops. Corteva said farmers who use the product as part of their overall pest management strategy can increase crop yields, reduce losses related to nematode damage and curtail the effects many alternative nematicides have on the environment.
The ingredient has received a reduced risk designation from the EPA. It also has garnered a sustainability award from the National Association of Manufacturers that recognizes that Reklemel’s low use rates could lead to the avoidance of 500,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years.
Corteva joins Bayer and other crop sciences companies in focusing their efforts on regenerative and precision agriculture to build on their sustainability goals and improve farmer practices. Innovations are coming as farmers struggle with profits in the face of inflation and extreme climate swings.
"The future of global farming – and our ability to feed a growing population – rests on innovation,” Robert King, executive vice president of Corteva’s crop protection business, said in a statement. “Reklemel demonstrates how Corteva deploys innovation to help farmers meet critical challenges to feed the world.”
