Pioneer expects to include the Optimum GAT trait in the "high single-digit percentage" of its soybean seed sales during the 2009 launch year Photo: Courtesy of DuPont

DuPont's seed subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred, aims to carry out an "aggressive" launch of its dual herbicide tolerance Optimum GAT technology in 2009/10. The company plans to include the trait in a "double digit percentage" of its maize seed sales in 2010, with complete penetration of its seed portfolio by 2012/13, says Pioneer's vice-president of crop genetics and R&D, Dr William Niebur. Dr Niebur was speaking at Merril Lynch's agricultural chemicals conference in New York, US, this month.

Pioneer expects to include the Optimum GAT trait in the "high single-digit percentage" of its soybean seed sales during the 2009 launch year. It aims to increase penetration of its soybean range "as fast as possible" over a 3-5 year period, Dr Niebur noted. The company made US regulatory submissions for Optimum GAT soybeans last year, with overseas applications under way this year (Agrow No 519, p 18). US submissions for Optimum GAT maize are still on schedule for this year.

The Optimum GAT technology provides tolerance to glyphosate and acetolactate synthase inhibitors such as sulfonylureas. Pioneer also plans to incorporate Bayer CropScience's LibertyLink trait in triple-stack maize lines to provide tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium. The technology will raise yields and enhance weed control, Dr Niebur said.

Pioneer has incorporated Optimum GAT in 40% of its soybean breeding programmes and is testing Optimum GAT maize across the Corn Belt. Evaluations are also underway by the Pioneer/Syngenta trait licensing joint venture, GreenLeaf Genetics (Agrow No 494, p 1). The parent companies are weighing up how their germplasm and trait combinations best complement one another, Dr Niebur noted.

Pioneer plans to test Optimum GAT soybeans in Brazil when clearance is granted. The company is preparing to launch significant volumes of its current GM soybean and maize lines in the country, subject to regulatory approvals. Herculex maize provides control of corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis) and fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda), the latter being a particularly important pest in Brazil (Agrow No 515, p 4).

In the US, Pioneer emphasises the effectiveness of Herculex against western bean cutworms (Striacosta albicosta) and black cutworms (Agrotis ipsilon) over its competitors. The company is phasing out Monsanto's YieldGard maize from its seed range and replacing it with Herculex, a process that is expected to be largely complete by 2008. About 75% of Pioneer's maize seed range contains genetically modified traits this year, compared with 60% in 2006. Triple-stacks account for some 10% of the range this year, compared with 1% last year. The company aims to raise this to about 30% in 2008.

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