Sumitomo Chemical obtains registration of herbicide Rapidicil in Argentina

Sumitomo Chemical announced that it has obtained registration in Argentina for the herbicide Rapidicil, a commercial brand for the active ingredient. epyrifenacil (C21H16ClF4N3O6, CAS 353292-31-6, HRAC 14), developed by the company. This is the first registration obtained for the product.

The company plans to begin selling Rapidicil-based products in Argentina for the 2024 planting season, leveraging its integrated business structure in the South American region that spans from research to manufacturing and sales. Argentina is the fourth largest market for crop protection products in the world, after Brazil, the United States and China.

According to scientists at Sumitomo Chemical, epirifenacil is a new PPO (protoporphyrin IX oxidase) inhibitor herbicide discovered and developed by the company. It belongs to the chemical class of pyrimidinediones and has a unique three-ring structure. It is systemically active on a wide range of weeds, including grassy weeds and some broadleaf weeds resistant to PPO inhibitor at the target site. Its systemic action is mediated by the phloem movement of the active form of epirifenacil. Furthermore, the vapor action of epirifenacil is low enough not to cause off-target movement in sensitive non-target crops. Used for foliar applications, epirifenacil demonstrates excellent weed control at low doses. Furthermore, it is fast and highly effective against a wide range of weeds.

Sumitomo Chemical has also filed registration applications for epyrifenacil-based herbicides in the United States, Canada and Brazil. Following the launch in Argentina, the company said it will expand its portfolio of products based on Rapidicil in other important markets.

Additionally, the company said that, in global collaboration with Bayer AG, it will continue to work to provide agricultural producers with a next-generation weed control system combined with PPO inhibitor-tolerant crops under development by Bayer.

Revista Cultivar reported on the matter in "Sumitomo Chemical submits registration applications for the new herbicide Rapidicil” (click to read).