BASF and Corteva announce partnership for weed control

BASF and Corteva Agriscience today announced a long-term collaboration to develop new soybean weed control solutions for farmers around the world.

The two companies have agreed to share licenses for soybean technologies while developing complementary herbicides, allowing them both to offer innovative soybean weed management solutions.

Through the collaboration, BASF and Corteva aim to meet farmers' demand for personalized weed control options that are differentiated from those currently on the market or in development.

The project begins in the North American market.

Corteva will combine a proprietary PPO (protoporphyrinogen oxidase) gene licensed from BASF with its portfolio of herbicide-tolerant traits, including Corteva's 2,4-D choline gene, to develop new traits for soybeans.

This development will include tolerance to four herbicide modes of action, or distinct mechanisms for achieving control. Together they will provide a new, effective and flexible option to help control the most problematic weeds.

This new herbicide tolerance characteristic should be available in all Corteva seed brands, which licensed it to BASF. There are also licensing plans for other seed companies.

The project includes tolerance to BASF and Corteva herbicides: Liberty (glufosinate-ammonium), Enlist (2,4-D choline with Colex-D technology) and the PPO inhibitor herbicides Kixor and Tirexor, as well as a new PPO inhibitor herbicide in developed by BASF. Glyphosate tolerance will also be included. The agreement gives both companies the opportunity to recommend the other's herbicide solutions to help ensure farmers have the most appropriate tools to effectively manage weeds.

“This cooperation is a milestone for us to expand our position in the soybean market,” said Dr. Peter Eckes, President of R&D and Regulation at BASF Soluções Agrícolas.

“We are pleased to work with BASF to bring important new innovations to soybean growers,” said Dr. Sam Eathington, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Digital Officer, Corteva Agriscience.

The first release of soybean varieties resulting from the agreement is expected in the early 2030s in North America, pending regulatory reviews and the completion of field trials.

Companies are exploring opportunities in additional regions where biotech crops are grown.

While separate and distinct, this broad cooperation complements the companies' recent announcement to develop Enlist E3 soybeans with BASF's nematode-resistant soybean (NRS) trait.