Monsanto’s “game-changing” pest protection technology claims to boost corn and soybean yields

30 Aug 2017 --- Monsanto has introduced a new pest fighting innovation designed to control invasive nematodes that often lead to big yield losses in corn, soybean and cotton crops. The company is launching NemaStrike Technology by Acceleron Seed Applied Solutions in time for the 2018 planting season and promises it will be a “game-changer” for growers, controlling the often invisible threat posed by nematodes.

As a broad-spectrum nematicide, NemaStrike Technology is designed to strike in the root zone where nematodes attack while providing consistent yield protection.

Monsanto’s Seed Treatment Product Development Manager, Davie Wilson says this technology stands apart as a means to protect yield.

“The launch of NemaStrike Technology is exciting because the technology provides broad-spectrum control of plant parasitic nematodes in corn, soybeans, and cotton,” he says. 

“Today, many growers underestimate the severe impact nematodes have on yield and overall crop health and it is important to us to educate them about the issue. NemaStrike Technology addresses this important unmet need.”

Plant parasite damaged crops
Nematodes impact all crops, but growers often do not attribute yield loss to the plant parasite. In fact, a recent survey found that only 8 percent of corn growers and 25 percent of soybean growers believe nematodes impacted their 2016 yields. 

Growers often believe relying on genetics or crop rotation will control nematodes and do not actively pursue other methods and tools of mitigating nematode damage.

“Genetic resistance is not the silver bullet for the nematode problem,” said Wilson. “Nematode damage is often misattributed to other issues, such as drought stress, fertility deficiency and disease pressure. That’s one of the reasons why we developed our Ground Breakers program to give growers a hands-on experience with offerings like NemaStrike Technology.” 

“Growers conducting trials with NemaStrike Technology can test its performance in nematode control and yield protection while gaining a better understanding of the problem.”

Trials underway
In 43 states across the US, more than 438 Ground Breakers pre-commercial field trials for corn, soybeans and cotton are underway. 

One of those taking part is Mat Muirheid, a soybean and corn grower from Decatur, Illinois, who planted soybean seeds with NemaStrike Technology and has already noticed results in the field.

After inspecting the soybean roots following a recent root dig, Muirheid said: “You can see more lateral roots, more nodules and a bigger root system on the NemaStrike Technology soybeans vs. the soybeans without the technology. The roots are very impressive.”

Muirheid adds he was skeptical any results would appear this early in the growing season but is glad to see the response. 

“This field had been four years of corn, and I was concerned that the nematode pressure wouldn’t be heavy enough to show any results. I was glad to see we had a better root on the NemaStrike side,” said Muirheid.

With a novel mode of action and low water solubility, NemaStrike Technology defends crops from the start and stays in the root zone as plants grow – for up to 75 days, according to Monsanto. 

The technology also has demonstrated consistent yield protection in hundreds of field trials, over three years of testing, in all soil types and levels of pressure. Trial results showed an average yield protection advantage in corn (7 Bu/A), soybeans (3 Bu/A) and cotton (80 Lbs. Lint/A) vs. the competitive standard.

In May, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) issued a registration for the product containing NemaStrike Technology and since the approval, the technology has gained approval for application to seeds in 45 states.