BASF’s Adapzo® Active Receives New FRAC Group Code 56 Classification
20 June 2026, Ludwigshafen: BASF Agricultural Solutions has announced that its latest fungicide innovation, Adapzo® Active, has been recognized by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) as a new and distinct mode of action. The active ingredient, flufenoxadiazam, is the crop protection industry’s first histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and the only member of the newly established FRAC Group Code 56.
The recognition highlights BASF’s continued investment in agricultural innovation and strengthens its crop protection pipeline, which includes upcoming fungicide, insecticide, and herbicide technologies. According to BASF, Adapzo Active represents a completely new chemistry platform developed through the company’s research and development efforts.
“By introducing Adapzo, we are bringing breakthrough science to farmers through an entirely new class of chemistry,” said Christine Habicher, Vice President, Fungicides Research, BASF Agricultural Solutions. “The assignment of a new FRAC Code reflects the novelty of this innovation and provides growers with an important tool for resistance management and yield protection.”
Addressing the Challenge of Asian Soybean Rust
Asian Soybean Rust (ASR) remains one of the most damaging diseases affecting soybean production in South America. If left unmanaged, the disease can cause yield losses of up to 90 percent, significantly impacting farm profitability. The emergence of resistant and mutated fungal strains has further complicated disease management, creating uncertainty for soybean growers.
BASF says Adapzo Active was specifically developed to address these challenges. Its novel mode of action is designed to deliver effective control of mutated fungal strains associated with ASR while supporting resistance management programs. Field evaluations have shown yield improvements of approximately six bags per hectare compared with current market standards, offering a potential economic advantage for soybean producers.
First HDAC Inhibitor for Crop Protection
Adapzo Active is the first fungicidal active ingredient known to inhibit fungal class II histone deacetylases (HDACs). BASF explains that this mechanism disrupts critical gene-expression processes required for the development of early infection structures in the fungus. By acting at an early stage of disease development, the fungicide is designed to prevent infection before it becomes established in the crop.
The company also reports that Adapzo Active demonstrates no known cross-resistance with existing ASR control solutions and can be integrated into resistance management strategies when used according to label recommendations.
Supporting Sustainable Disease Management
The assignment of FRAC Group Code 56 provides growers and agronomists with a new tool to diversify fungicide programs and help preserve the effectiveness of existing disease control technologies.
The Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) is an international organization dedicated to promoting fungicide resistance management through research, education, and collaboration. Its objective is to support sustainable agriculture by maintaining the long-term efficacy of fungicide technologies worldwide.
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