Indianapolis, Indiana
June 16, 2008
Dow AgroSciences LLC announced today it has submitted
SmartStax™, a new insect-protection and weed control stacked
trait combination in corn, to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) for regulatory review.
SmartStax is the industry's first-ever eight gene stack
combination in corn that will feature multiple modes of action
to control both above and below ground insects as well as
herbicide tolerance. The combination of these traits is designed
to improve insect protection, expand herbicide application
options and minimize the potential for insect resistance.
“Ensuring technology like in-plant insect protection remains
effective for the long-term is critical to providing a
dependable grain corn supply to a global market that continues
to see increasing demands. The multiple modes of action in
SmartStax is an effective way of ensuring durability and
increasing yields,” said Antonio Galindez, vice president, Crops
Global Business Unit, Dow AgroSciences.
Currently, corn growers are required to plant a “structured
refuge” or plot of corn that does not use the same Bt technology
near corn acres that have in-plant Bt protection. Data collected
for the submission of SmartStax indicates that its multiple
modes-of-action are highly effective in protecting the plant and
managing the long-term viability of the technology in a reduced
refuge environment. Accordingly, the EPA submission for
SmartStax seeks a reduction from the refuge area required for
the Bt corn products currently on the market. This type of
refuge reduction, where two independent insecticidal proteins
are present in a single plant, has already proved effective in
cotton.
Dow AgroSciences will offer SmartStax through its Mycogen and
Triumph Seed brands, and will use the trait platform to launch
future trait technologies including Dow Herbicide Tolerance
(DHT) and other agronomic enhancements. DHT is a new family of
traits that will provide tolerance to 2,4-D and other classes of
herbicides.
“Game changing trait technologies, such as SmartStax and DHT,
coupled with continued investment in plant breeding, expanded
seed production facilities, and seed company acquisitions will
help Dow AgroSciences continue to expand its corn platform,”
said Brian Barker, global business leader for corn seeds and
traits for Dow AgroSciences.
SmartStax is being jointly developed and registered by Dow
AgroSciences and Monsanto. SmartStax is on track to become
commercially available for the 2010 growing season in the United
States pending receiving appropriate regulatory approvals.
SmartStax has also been submitted to Japanese regulatory
agencies for review.
Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is
a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of
science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly
improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences
provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and
vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural
biotechnology to serve the world's growing population. Global
sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow
Chemical Company, are $3.8 billion.
™SmartStax is a trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC |
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