Corteva Agriscience launches the Enlist System

Corteva Agriscience presents the Enlist System to Brazil, a new biotechnology option for soybean seeds that combines high-performance genetics with weed and caterpillar management, giving rural producers greater control over their operations and the possibility of expanding the productive potential of their crops.

“This launch is very important for the Brazilian market because it gives farmers the freedom to choose a new, efficient technology that is much simpler to use in the field. All of us at Corteva are very happy to bring this new product to Brazilian farmers,” says Christian Pflug, Enlist Technology Leader at Corteva Agriscience for Brazil and Paraguay.

Enlist E3 seeds are tolerant to Enlist Colex-D (new 2,4-D choline salt), glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium. Conkesta E3 seeds - which are awaiting approval from the European Union and should be approved soon -, in addition to tolerance to the three herbicides, also contain two Bts proteins (Cry1F and Cry1Ac) for the management of the main caterpillars in soybean crops; a tailor-made option for Brazilian producers.

The complete Enlist System is made up of three pillars: Seeds & Biotechnology, Herbicides and High Performance Genetics, supported by Good Agricultural Practices, with the “Enlist Certo” program. Flexibility, convenience, diversity, greater control and simplicity are what set the Enlist System apart from other solutions available on the market. “In addition to seeds with high production capacity, Enlist facilitates the entire planting process, considering that the producer can apply herbicides in the post-emergence of soybeans. This saves time, reduces costs and ensures more efficient management”, adds Pflug.

In Brazil, Enlist seeds will be planted in the 2021/22 harvest with 14 varieties. The 22/23 harvest will have a total of 33 varieties. The technology will be available, in this harvest, through Corteva's proprietary brands, Brevant Sementes and Cordius, and through the brands Brasmax, DonMario, Neogen, Nidera, NK and Stine. In addition to Brazil, Enlist E3 seeds are already used by American producers.

“One year after the launch of the Enlist System in the United States, the country had approximately 7 million hectares of soybeans planted with Enlist E3, through more than 100 producers. In 2021, approximately 35% of American soybeans were planted with Enlist E3,” comments Pflug.

The tests carried out in Brazil with the Enlist E3 and Conkesta E3 varieties involved more than 400 research areas throughout the country, including breeding programs from partner breeders and Corteva's own brands. There were also 74 demonstration areas where rural producers were able to learn about the varieties available for launch in 2021.

“We faced significant climate challenges during the tests and yet the results were very satisfactory. The productivity achieved was between 2% and 5% higher than the commercial varieties on the market – in some parts of the country, this number reached 8% more”, highlights Pflug.