Corteva Agriscience strengthens operations in cotton cultivation with expansion of portfolio and actions with the agricultural chain

Corteva Agriscience has strengthened its operations in cotton cultivation with several investments: in research, expansion of the portfolio and a series of initiatives in partnership with the agricultural chain. Cotton is one of the main crops for Brazilian agribusiness, the country is the fourth largest producer and second largest exporter of the fiber in the world. In the 2020/21 harvest, Brazil broke an export record with 2.4 million tons, an increase of 23% compared to the previous season, according to the Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers (Abrapa).

With the aim of assisting cotton farmers in their main challenges in managing weeds, diseases and pests, Corteva offers a complete cotton portfolio. The Exalt insecticide, composed of Jemvelva Active (Espinetoram), is a reference for trust, performance and sustainability. It makes a difference in cotton crops when it comes to controlling helicoverp caterpillars, fall armyworms and now also thrips. Its active ingredient is of biological origin, the result of the natural fermentation of bacteria, which makes Exalt a global award winner and recognized as one of the most innovative and sustainable technologies in the world by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For this reason, it received the Green Chemistry Award seal, a great achievement for the country's cotton crops and future generations.

“Brazil has been gaining more and more prominence in the cotton chain, whether due to productivity, level of technology and quality of the lint. Cotton is a difficult to manage crop that requires another level of technology. We are happy to offer a robust and efficient portfolio to help cotton farmers and contribute to sustainable production in the sector” says Thomas Scott, Insecticides Leader at Corteva Agriscience.

Last year, Corteva introduced the WideStrike 3 technology to the cotton market, in partnership with Tropical Melhoramento & Genética (TMG), which offers protection in controlling the main caterpillars that attack the crop. With the proteins Cry1F, Cry1Ac and Vip3A from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, also known as Bt, the technology acts on all plant tissues and throughout the crop cycle, promoting protection and longevity for cotton.

In addition, the most recent launch of the Insecticides portfolio is Closer. Formulated using Isoclast active technology, it belongs to a new chemical group, sulfoxamines, it has a mode of action to control cotton aphids and is a tool for the integrated management of pests and resistance. To control weeds, such as bittergrass and volunteer corn, the company uses the Verdict Max herbicide.

To help cotton growers control cotton diseases, such as Ramularia (Ramularia areola) and Ramulose (Colletotrichum gossypii), Corteva offers Manejo Campeão Onmira, composed of the products Viovan, Aproach Power and Vessarya, which has a formulation that eliminates the addition of oil, it is quickly absorbed by the plant, which reduces the risk of washing by rain, in addition to avoiding phytotoxicity for the crop, bringing more convenience, performance and selectivity.

We are also cotton

Among the actions carried out in partnership with the agricultural chain, Corteva is a sponsor of the Sou de Algodão movement, a national and international initiative to awaken collective awareness around fashion and responsible consumption, which promotes more efficient and sustainable means of production for the entire cotton cultivation cycle, in actions based on three pillars: environmental, social and economic responsibility

Corteva is also launching the “Also Somos Algodão” campaign, which seeks to reinforce the importance of culture and the robustness of its portfolio and the continuous work to bring more and more innovation to the segment, alongside partners, customers and an entire society that made Brazil the largest supplier of sustainable cotton in the world.

The company also seeks to bring relevant and up-to-date knowledge about culture to the sector. Recently, the Agro em Foco TV Digital program, created by Pioneer, a Corteva Agriscience seed brand, broadcast two reports that show the entire journey that cotton takes from planting to industry. The program that aired on September 09th featured an interview with Júlio Cézar Busato, president of Abrapa, who reported important data on the challenges and prospects of the cotton market.

To check the content in full, access the links:

Program 02/09: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzLMOtRIUq4

Program 09/09: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J07s3PzmXHc