18 June 2025, US: Weeds pose a significant threat to crop production worldwide by competing for essential resources like water, nutrients, and sunlight, leading to yield losses of up to 43% in major crops (Savary, 2019). The rise of herbicide-resistant weed species has further intensified this challenge, endangering agricultural sustainability and, in severe cases, jeopardizing the very value of farmland.
Addressing this critical issue, Syngenta, a global leader in agricultural innovation announced a major breakthrough with its latest weed control solution, metproxybicyclone. This innovative herbicide has been officially recognized by the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) and the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) as belonging to a new chemical subclass, marking it as the fourth generation of ACCase-inhibitors — a vital class of herbicides.
This milestone comes nearly two decades after Syngenta introduced the third-generation ACCase-inhibitor, pinoxaden, in 2006. The long gap underscores the extreme complexity involved in discovering new, effective, and safe herbicide chemistries.
“Herbicide resistance is now reported in 75 countries, impacting over 100 crops worldwide. Grass weeds alone represent 40% of the 273 resistant weed species identified,” said Camilla Corsi, Syngenta’s Global Head of Research and Development. “Our research anticipated resistance developing in key regions like Argentina and Brazil, and we have been working diligently to deliver a timely solution to support soybean and cotton farmers confronting this escalating problem.” Pending regulatory approvals, metproxybicyclone is slated for launch in Argentina in 2026.
The novel herbicide was developed at Syngenta’s International Research Centre in Jealott’s Hill, UK. By combining decades of expertise in ACCase-inhibitors with advanced computer modeling techniques, Syngenta scientists designed metproxybicyclone to effectively control grass weeds resistant to popular herbicides such as glyphosate and clethodim. This design process also prioritized sustainability, reflecting Syngenta’s “Safer by Design” philosophy aimed at boosting yields while reducing environmental impact.
Syngenta’s commitment to innovation extends across its extensive crop protection portfolio, which includes technologies such as ADEPIDYN, PLINAZOLIN, and TYMIRIUM, alongside a growing range of biological and digital solutions tailored to modern farming needs.
📢 Reach Farmers, Share Your Story, and Grow Your Brand! Got news to share? A company story to highlight? Looking to launch an impactful advertising campaign? Connect with us at info@krishakjagat.org or nimishgangrade@krishakjagat.org and make your mark!
📢 Connect with 100+ Million Farmers! India’s leading farmers rely on Krishak Jagat’s Hindi website for trusted agriculture news, advisory and insights.Click here to explore!
