Indianapolis, Indiana and Sao
Paulo, Brazil
January 28, 2009
The Brazilian
Ministry of Agriculture
has authorized Dow AgroSciences
to sell its first corn hybrids with HERCULEX® I Insect
Protection technology. This authorization was given for 2B710HX,
2B688HX, 2B707HX, 2C520HX and 2A525HX corn hybrids. Dow
AgroSciences also announced that it plans to be able to offer
the Brazilian market its full range of corn hybrids with this
technology in the future.
“This is a key milestone that will make available the best corn
seed technology to the Brazilian producer and will set a new
standard for insect protection in Brazil,” said Jerome Peribere,
president and CEO, Dow AgroSciences.
HERCULEX I, approved in Brazil in December 2008 by the National
Technical Commission of Biosafety (CTNBio), has been in use in
the United States, Argentina and other countries for a number of
years. The technology provides effective control of important
corn pests by incorporating into the plant the cry1F gene,
originated from the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) microorganism
that naturally occurs in the soil.
HERCULEX I protects the corn plant against the Spodoptora
frugiperda caterpillar, the main corn pest in Brazil. This
protection is extended to the entire life cycle of the plant. It
also allows the control of Diatraea saccharalis. Depending upon
growing conditions, these pests may cause yield losses of more
40 percent.
With this technology, Brazilian growers should benefit with
higher yield, better quality grain, and a new and effective tool
to use as part of an integrated pest management system.
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. Learn more at
www.dowagro.com
®HERCULEX is a trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC
HERCULEX Insect Protection technology developed by Dow
AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred International |
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