BASF launches Kilymos® fungicide at the Opening of the 2026 Rice Harvest.

The launch of the Kilymos® fungicide, developed exclusively for rice cultivation by BASF, will take place at the Opening of the 2026 Rice Harvest. The product arrives on the market at a time when the Brazilian rice sector is experiencing a combination of decisive factors: favorable climate for productivity; reduced acreage due to grain prices; and constant disease pressure, driven by hot and humid conditions.

The launch takes place during one of the main technical and institutional meetings of the rice production chain in the country, held in Capão do Leão/RS. The event brings together producers, researchers, cooperatives, industry and representatives of the public sector. The choice of venue reinforces the company's strategy of presenting innovation directly in the environment where technical decisions define crop performance.

The 2025/26 cycle follows a period of two consecutive harvests with climatic conditions considered favorable for rice cultivation in Brazil. The previous harvest, 2024/25, was among the largest in history in terms of volume produced. The climate contributed to the expression of the productive potential of the crops. Well-distributed rainfall. Temperatures suitable for plant development. This scenario is repeated in the current cycle, despite some delays in the start of planting in certain regions, caused by excessive rainfall.

Even with the positive weather conditions, producers are facing a more restrictive market environment. Price data indicate a sharp decline in grain prices over a twelve-month period. This reduction directly impacts decision-making regarding planted area, technology investments, and management strategies. The result is a decrease in cultivated area in some regions, even though productivity expectations remain high.

Efficiency of the production system

In this scenario, the economic sustainability of the activity becomes even more heavily dependent on the efficiency of the production system. Productivity takes on a central role. Proper management gains strategic importance. Reducing losses becomes a determining factor in maintaining profitability. Within this context, the control of foliar diseases occupies a prominent position in the cost and final result of the crop.

Disease management currently represents the second largest segment of investments related to agricultural pesticides. The crop is grown primarily in tropical and subtropical climates. These conditions favor the occurrence and severity of fungal diseases. Heat, high humidity, frequent leaf wetness, and periods of cloudiness create the ideal environment for the infection and spread of pathogens.

main diseases

Among the main diseases affecting rice in Brazil, rice blast stands out for its potential for damage, explains Matheus Scherer, Rice Crop Marketing Manager at BASF. Caused by the fungus Pyricularia griseaThe disease can compromise virtually the entire crop when not managed properly. In extreme situations, losses can reach levels close to 100%, depending on varietal susceptibility, climatic conditions, and the absence of efficient chemical control.

Brown spot, caused by the fungus Bipolaris oryzaeIt has a more regional distribution, but remains economically relevant. In crops without proper management, losses can range between 20% and 30%. The disease affects leaves and grains, impacting productivity and industrial quality.

Another disease that has gained attention in recent cycles is sheath spot, caused by Rhizoctonia solaniThe disease shows a higher incidence in certain producing regions, such as areas on the western border of Rio Grande do Sul. The spread of sheath blight interferes with grain filling and reduces the productive potential of the plants.

The relationship between climate and disease appears as a determining factor in defining management strategies. Regions with higher rainfall, such as producing areas in Santa Catarina near the coast, face high pressure from foliar diseases. In Tocantins, the more tropical climate, with high temperatures associated with humidity, requires more intensive management programs, with a greater number of fungicide applications throughout the cycle. In Rio Grande do Sul, in addition to heat and humidity, frequent cloudiness acts as an additional risk element.

Given this scenario, preventative management plays a central role. The strategy begins with the selection of cultivars with some level of genetic resistance, especially to rice blast. The program continues with seed treatment and preventative applications during the vegetative stage. The most critical period is concentrated in the reproductive phase, between floral differentiation and full bloom. During this interval, the absence of intervention significantly increases the risk of economic losses.

Kilymos® Fungicide

It is within this technical context that BASF positions the Kilymos® fungicide. The product was developed exclusively for rice cultivation, from the formulation conception to the definition of its agronomic positioning. The fungicide combines two active ingredients with distinct modes of action: tricyclazole, recognized for its efficient control of rice blast; and Revysol®, a triazole exclusive to BASF, aimed at controlling leaf spots with a broad spectrum, says Matheus Scherer.

Tricyclazole has a well-established history in blast management, with both preventive and curative action. It acts directly on the main target of the crop. Revysol®, in turn, represents an innovation within the triazole group. The molecule offers high efficiency against different pathogens that cause leaf spots, in addition to physicochemical characteristics that enhance safety and flexibility of use.

The combination of these two active ingredients gives Kilymos® a differentiated positioning within management programs. The product acts on the main rice disease and expands control over brown spot and sheath blight. This combination offers a complete product label for Brazilian rice farming.

Among the technical advantages of Kilymos®, its high foliar absorption rate stands out. Internal studies indicate that Revysol® may exhibit significantly higher absorption than other fungicides. After penetration, the active ingredient is distributed and remains stored in the plant tissues, contributing to a prolonged residual effect.

This characteristic gives the product greater tolerance to adverse weather conditions. Rain after application and periods of intense heat have less influence on control efficiency. The fungicide maintains high performance even under adverse conditions, common in irrigated rice-producing regions.

Another technical aspect associated with Revysol® involves the technology known as Power Flex. The molecule exhibits structural flexibility, which allows for a better fit at the fungus's site of action. This characteristic enhances the binding power of the active ingredient and hinders the development of resistance by pathogens. Even in the face of mutations, the molecule maintains its effectiveness, which prolongs the technology's lifespan in the field.

Kilymos®: preventive and curative

The broad spectrum of control offered by Kilymos® results in greater predictability for the producer, explains Matheus. The product acts both preventively and curatively within the management program. This versatility facilitates the adjustment of applications according to climatic conditions, crop stage, and disease pressure observed in each region.

From a production standpoint, field results indicate average productivity increases associated with the use of fungicides within well-structured management programs. This gain is reflected in a greater number of bags harvested per hectare, with a direct impact on crop profitability.

In addition to productivity, efficient disease control contributes to grain quality. Lower incidence of spots and physiological damage improves the industrial and commercial standard of the harvested rice. The result benefits not only the producer, but the entire production chain, from processing to marketing.

Innovation and reality

The launch of Kilymos® during the Rice Harvest Opening symbolizes, for BASF, the connection between innovation and the reality of the field, explains Graziela Morais, Marketing Manager for Rice and Wheat Crops and Portfolio at the company. The company has a history of investing in research and development focused on rice cultivation in Brazil. The new fungicide reinforces this strategy by offering a solution specifically designed for the demands of the crop.

BASF is among the companies that invest the most in rice technologies in the country, adds Graziela. The portfolio includes solutions for different stages of management, focusing on productivity, sustainability and operational safety. Kilymos® will occupy a strategic space within this set, complementing tools already available for preventive and corrective actions.

In southern and northern Brazil, where production systems exhibit climatic and operational differences, the product shows potential for adaptation. In regions with more intensive management programs, such as Tocantins, the fungicide integrates into robust application schemes. In the South, it acts as a central tool in controlling the main diseases of the crop cycle.

Kilymos® responds to a moment of transition in the rice sector, says Graziela. The search for efficiency is growing in the face of price pressure. Reducing losses is taking on a strategic role. Technologies capable of guaranteeing production stability are becoming decisive for the sustainability of the business.

Warning: This product is dangerous to human and animal health and to the environment. For agricultural use only. Sold only with an agronomic prescription. Always consult an agronomist. Learn about and implement integrated pest management. Dispose of packaging and product residue correctly. Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label, package insert, and prescription. Use personal protective equipment.