Crop protection and biotech seed producer Corteva Inc has launched its genetically modified (GM) Conkesta E3 soyabean in Brazil, the company announced on 24 August.
The new product was part of the Enlist weed control system that also included Enlist E3 soyabeans, which were recently launched in the country, the company said.
“We are very pleased to announce the launch of Conkesta E3 soyabeans in Brazil. It combines high-performance genetics with efficient management of weeds and caterpillars, expanding Brazilian growers’ productivity potential,” Corteva Agriscience president for Latin America Alejandro Muñoz said.
Tolerant to Enlist Colex-D and Enlist Duo Colex-D herbicides, Conkesta E3 soyabeans are also tolerant to glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides, according to the company.
Conkesta E3 soyabeans also incorporated two Bt proteins (Cry1F and Cry1Ac) for the management of the main caterpillar pests in soyabean crops, a tailored option for farmers in Latin America, the company said.
Corteva said Conkesta E3 soyabeans had recently received authorisation by the European Union Commission, which enabled grain produced from Conkesta E3 soyabeans grown in Brazil to be exported to the European market for food and feed use. This followed its earlier authorisation in several other export markets, including China.
The company said it was also planning to launch the product in Argentina and Uruguay, pending applicable regulatory reviews and market readiness.
Conkesta E3 soyabeans would be available to Brazilian farmers in the remaining 2021-2022 season, the company said.
Corteva became an independent public company in 2019, and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont, which was formed in 2017 by the merger of US chemical giants Dow Chemical and DuPont.
