FMC announces Sofero Fall against "Spodoptera frugiperda"

FMC Corporation announced the approval of the registration of Sofero Fall in Brazil. This is a pheromone used to control fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

According to Ronaldo Pereira, president of FMC, the approval of Sofero Fall in Brazil is an important milestone in the development of high-performance and sustainable crop protection solutions.

“We are excited to provide growers with an effective new tool to combat fall armyworm, which has developed resistance to many traditional insecticides,” said Pereira.

According to information from FMC, Sofero Fall uses technology based on interrupting the pest's mating. The product emits pheromone signals that disrupt the fall armyworm's reproductive cycle, preventing its reproduction. This controls the pest before the next generation can emerge, protecting crops in the early stages of development, reducing damage and promoting healthy plant growth.

Sofero Fall is the first product to be launched under FMC’s Sofero brand, which encompasses pheromone solutions for a variety of crops, including rice, corn, cotton and soybeans.

In addition to Sofero Fall, registration of the pheromone Sofero Frugi, also aimed at fall armyworms, is pending in Mexico, with approval expected in 2027.

Technical information about Sofero Fall

• Registration holder: FMC Química do Brasil Ltda. - Campinas/SP.

• Trademark: SOFERO FALL FEROMONE.

• Request result: Granted. Granted Certificate with registration no. 11025, according to process no. 21016.002383/2024-37, filed on 01/04/2024.

• Manufacturer: Name: Cheminova A/S - Address: Thyborønvej 78, DK-7673 Harboøre - Denmark.

• Formulator: Name: FMC Corporation - Address: 100 Niagara Street, Middleport, 14105, New York - United States of America; Name: FMC Química do Brasil Ltda. - CNPJ: 04.136.367/0005-11 - Address: Av. Antônio Carlos Guillaumon, 25 - Distrito Industrial III - Uberaba/MG - Zip Code: 38.001-970; Name: Kwizda Agro GmbH - Address: Laaer Bundesstrasse, Kwizda Alie 1, A-2100, Leobendorf - Austria.

• Chemical name: (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate; Z-9-tetradecen-1-yl acetate.

• Common name: (Z)-9-Tetradecenyl acetate.

• Indication for use: indicated for any crop with occurrence of the biological target Spodoptera frugiperda.

• Toxicological classification: Not Classified - Unclassified Product.

• Classification according to potential environmental hazard: Class IV - Product of little danger to the environment.

Information about (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate

(Z)-9-Tetradecenyl acetate (CAS 16725-53-4) is a chemical compound that plays a crucial role in the control of agricultural pests and is widely used in integrated management strategies. This compound belongs to the ester class and acts as a sexual or aggregation pheromone in several insect species.

Its application in the agricultural field is based on the exploration of natural mechanisms of chemical communication between insects, which enables an efficient and sustainable approach to pest control.

(Z)-9-Tetradecenyl acetate acts as a specific chemical signal, released by females to attract males during the mating season. This function can be exploited by farmers in several ways. One of the most common techniques involves the use of traps containing the compound to monitor pest population densities. By capturing male insects, these traps provide valuable information about infestations, allowing for more accurate and timely interventions.

In addition, pheromone can also be used in sexual confusion systems, where its massive release into the environment hinders the ability of males to locate females. This method significantly reduces the reproduction of the pest, decreasing its population over time.

Another strategy involves combining traps with lethal agents, such as pesticides or adhesive surfaces, to directly capture and eliminate insects. This approach is particularly useful in organic or sensitive crops, where the use of toxic chemicals is limited or undesirable.

(Z)-9-Tetradecenyl acetate has been successfully used to control several agricultural pests. For example, it is used to manage moths such as the apple moth (Cydia pomonella) and the citrus moth (Prays citri), which cause significant damage to fruit orchards. It is also used to control beetles such as the rice beetle (sitophilus oryzae), and in vegetable crops, where it helps protect plants against the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella).

One of the main advantages of using this compound is its specificity. Pheromones are highly selective for certain insect species, minimizing the impact on non-target organisms.

Furthermore, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate has a low environmental impact, as it is biodegradable and does not persist in soil or water for long periods. Another important benefit is the reduced likelihood of pests developing resistance, since pheromones exploit natural communication mechanisms.