BASF and Nidera Unveil New CLEARFIELD Sunflower Trait – CLHA-Plus

CLHA-Plus makes it easier for seed companies to breed tolerance to BASF imidazolinone herbicides in high-yielding sunflower hybrids.

17/06/08 BASF and Nidera announced the introduction of CLHA-Plus – a new genetic trait for the CLEARFIELD Production System for Sunflowers.

CLHA-Plus is the result of a long-term joint development program between BASF and Nidera, a leading sunflower seed breeding company that supplies genetics worldwide. “Nidera’s expertise in sunflower breeding and biotech development techniques complements our core competencies in AHAS genes and imidazolinone tolerance technology,” said Alyson Emanuel, Director, Global Strategic Marketing Herbicides of BASF’s Crop Protection division.

Weed control is often one of the most limiting factors for global sunflower production. The CLEARFIELD Production System is an innovative agronomic solution that matches carefully selected hybrid seed with custom-designed BASF imidazolinone herbicides. It delivers control of a broad spectrum of yield-limiting broadleaf and grass weed problems in most markets around the world as a result of post emergent contact and soil activity.

CLHA-Plus makes it easier for seed companies to breed tolerance to BASF imidazolinone herbicides in high-yielding sunflower hybrids. With CLHA-Plus, seed companies will no longer need to include the E-gene (or E-factor) in their CLEARFIELD sunflower breeding program. This, combined with the fact that the new gene, CLHA-Plus, was developed in high-performing sunflower germplasm, will result in superior CLEARFIELD sunflower hybrids in the future. CLHA-Plus also provides expanded weed control options and enhanced tolerance to CLEAR-FIELD herbicides for sunflower growers.

Seed Partners View Ease of Breeding as an Important Benefit

The new genetic trait has been receiving an enthusiastic response from BASF’s seed partners, and is expected to be first commercialized in 2010. It is expected that additional commercialization will take place through numerous seed partners. Ease of breeding through CLHA-Plus will allow seed companies to deliver higher yielding CLEARFIELD sunflower hybrids to growers in less time, an important benefit in their respective markets in Argentina, Southern and Eastern Europe, and the United States. “This initiative demonstrates BASF’s commitment to the CLEARFIELD Production System for Sunflowers around the world,” Emanuel adds.

“The CLEARFIELD Production System for Sunflowers with CLHA-Plus delivers what growers need to be more successful; efficient, extended weed control, and increased yield potential and crop quality. We are introducing this new technology in our elite sunflower lines and will deliver to the market outstanding products in the near future,” said Pablo Bergada, Director of R&D and Production, Nidera S.A.