Corteva Agriscience offers integrated solutions for fall armyworm

Fall armyworm was first confirmed in Africa in 2016. While maize is the most vulnerable crop, the pest feeds on more than 80 different crop species.

THE Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, has received registrations for the control of Fall Armyworm (FAW) in maize in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

This means that commercial and smallholder farmers can access Radiant 120 SC, Uphold 360 SC and Delegate 250 WG crop protection technologies, enabling them to protect staple maize crops from FAW and other biting and chewing insects.

The Uphold 360 SC technology acts quickly and has long-lasting effect on all Lepidoptera pest stages (eggs and larvae). It is a combination of two award winning active ingredients; spinetoram and methoxyfenozide, which is key for the control of key Lepidoptera pests.

“Africa has average grain yields that are less than two tons per hectare, about one-third of what is achieved in other developing regions and only one-fifth of yields in developed countries,” said Prabdeep Bajwa, president, Africa Middle East, Corteva Agriscience.

“The use of these crop protection technologies and adoption of high yielding based germplasm will enable farmers to realise greater yield potential.”

In addition to new hybrids in maize and sunflower seeds, several biotech traits are being developed in trials that will add value in the control of FAW. These include PowerCore which controls major pests in maize. The PowerCore trait incorporated into the Corteva Agriscience hybrid portfolio will be available for sale in 2020 in South Africa, subject to regulatory approvals.

Through its multiple modes of action, PowerCore combines two genes that control major maize pests, such as Fall Armyworm, maize stalk borer (Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus), and is tolerant to herbicides.