As most growers know, corn rootworm is known as the ‘billion-dollar bug’ in North America because of the huge yield losses it causes every year.
However, there is exciting news for eastern Canadian growers who deal with this pest.
“We have a new trait technology, the first of its kind in the world,” says Dave Kikkert, Canada Corn & Soybean Portfolio Lead at Bayer Crop Science. “Growers have already had great success with the layered protection in SmartStax® Technology and now we’ve added a third mode of action, RNAi technology, that offers another unique mode of action, resulting in even better corn rootworm control.”
SmartStax® PRO with RNAi Technology launched in the U.S. in 2022 and will be available in Canada in a limited selection of hybrids for 2023. In 2024, Canadian growers will be able to choose from more hybrids with various maturities.
“Harvest is yet to come, but we can definitely say already that the results we’ve seen at these sites are very strong, in line with the great results already seen in previous years in the U.S.”
Dave Kikkert, Bayer Crop Science
In 2022, Bayer planted SmartStax PRO Technology hybrids in a robust set of trial locations, both at farms and its research sites across all growing regions of Eastern Canada.
“Harvest is yet to come, but we can definitely say already that the results we’ve seen at these sites are very strong, in line with the great results already seen in previous years in the U.S.,” says Kikkert. “Growers south of the border have been extremely pleased to have corn equipped with a third, brand-new mode of action against corn rootworm. As we all know, it’s a very adaptable insect and very tough to control.”
Corn rootworm populations are increasing in Ontario and Quebec, just as they have done in the U.S. in recent years.
“Growers therefore have to try to keep ahead of it as much as possible with the newest biotechnology in conjunction with their crop management,” says Kikkert. “Rotating with soybeans is a very good strategy. Corn-on-corn rotations will definitely set you up for greater numbers. Late-planted corn fields relative to others in the area are also at more risk, and scouting and monitoring is a must.”
Inside the new mode of action
RNAi, or RNA interference, is a naturally occurring process in cells. How it works was uncovered by scientists in the 1990s, and this understanding has led to many advances in human, animal and plant health. In crops, RNAi is now being used to improve resistance to disease and pests such as corn rootworm, to achieve healthier oil profiles in cottonseed, and much more.
Understanding how RNAi has been harnessed to create SmartStax PRO Technology in corn plants requires going over some cell basics. Plant and animal cells continually access thousands of genes in their DNA that contain instructions to make molecules critical to cell functioning, mostly proteins. These instructions are ‘written’ out in mRNA and proteins are produced. Cells then use the ‘RNA interference’ process to tailor the production levels to just what’s needed.
In the case of new SmartStax PRO with RNAi Technology, control begins when corn rootworm larvae ingest a bit of root. The cells contain RNAi instructions that, in the body of the larvae, stop the production of a protein the pest needs to survive.
“It’s a totally new and very powerful world-first mode of action against corn rootworm,” says Kikkert. “RNAi Technology works very differently than a soil-applied insecticide or Bt traits. Growers need the strongest biotechnology options available to effectively control corn rootworm, in addition to smart cropping and best management practices.”
Kikkert and his colleagues are excited about this technology and its potential to provide tremendous value for Canadian farmers.
“You already had two Bt modes of defence in SmartStax Technology and now you have a third brand-new mode of action in SmartStax PRO Technology,” he says. “We’ll be announcing availability of hybrids for the 2023 growing season for growers in Eastern Canada in January. Stay tuned.”
Bayer is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Bayer products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Bayer’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. These products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from these products can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for these products. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® 2 Technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate. Glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. RIB Complete®, Roundup Ready® and SmartStax® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. Used under license. LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are trademarks of BASF. Used under license. Herculex® is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Used under license. ©2022 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.
