16 May 2026, Indianapolis: Corteva has announced the launch of Verpixo™ fungicide with Adavelt™ active for the US sugarbeet market following registration by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The fungicide, which will be available for the 2026 growing season, introduces a new Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) Group 21 mode of action aimed at controlling Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), one of the most economically damaging fungal diseases affecting sugarbeet production in the United States.
According to Corteva, Verpixo fungicide is based on a naturally occurring compound derived from soil bacteria and is classified by the US EPA as a reduced-risk chemistry. The company said the fungicide provides broad-spectrum disease control and offers growers greater flexibility in application timing.
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Cercospora Leaf Spot Continues to Impact Sugarbeet Yields
Cercospora leaf spot remains a major challenge for sugarbeet growers due to its ability to reduce photosynthesis and lower sugar accumulation in beet roots. The disease is identified by brown circular lesions on infected leaves and becomes particularly severe during wet and humid growing conditions.
Colleen Kent, specialty crops portfolio marketing lead at Corteva, said a 2024 survey conducted by the Beet Sugar Development Foundation estimated that CLS could have resulted in economic losses exceeding $900 million if left unmanaged during that production year.
Kent added that field and laboratory testing have demonstrated the efficacy of Verpixo fungicide with Adavelt active against CLS, which has the potential to reduce annual sugarbeet yields by up to 30%.
New Mode of Action Introduced for Resistance Management
Corteva stated that Verpixo fungicide provides growers with a new resistance management tool at a time when existing fungicides and even recently introduced CLS-tolerant genetic traits are facing declining effectiveness due to repeated exposure and selection pressure.
David Mettler, research agronomist at Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, said resistance management for CLS has become increasingly difficult as fungicides and tolerant traits lose efficacy over time. He noted that the disease is polycyclic, meaning it can generate spores multiple times within the same season, requiring repeated in-season fungicide applications to maintain control.
Mettler also explained that severe CLS infections can defoliate the crop canopy, significantly reducing photosynthetic activity and ultimately affecting yield potential.
Translaminar Activity Targets Disease on Both Leaf Surfaces
According to Corteva, Verpixo fungicide with Adavelt active delivers translaminar activity, enabling control of fungal pathogens on both upper and lower leaf surfaces by disrupting fungal spore germination.
The company said the fungicide was developed specifically to manage ascomycete diseases while strengthening resistance management programs through a novel mode of action. Corteva added that no known resistance to Adavelt active has been identified so far.
Kent said the fungicide’s tank-mix compatibility and application flexibility can help growers manage CLS more effectively throughout the growing season while supporting stewardship of existing fungicide chemistries.
Focus on Integrated Pest Management
Corteva also highlighted the environmental profile of Verpixo fungicide, stating that its natural origin and favourable environmental characteristics align with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches. The company said the product is designed to support beneficial insect populations while providing disease control in sugarbeet production systems.
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