New chemistry to control sucking insects including aphids will initially be trialed on horticultural crops, and has potential for use in cereals. Source: BASF

AUSTRALIA and South Korea have been named as the first countries in which BASF will start global registration for Axalion, a new insecticide active ingredient.

Axalion can be used to control sucking insects including aphids, and can potentially be used on cereal and row crops.

Further regulatory dossier submissions are planned for the European Union, Brazil and India in 2021, and other key markets in coming years.

“The discovery and development of the new Axalion active ingredient reaffirms our commitment to develop sustainable solutions that support farmers in balancing agricultural productivity, environmental protection and societal needs,” vice president insecticide research at BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division Harold Bastiaans said.

“Axalion is an insecticide that is effective on pests that are harmful to crops.

“At the same time, it is highly compatible with beneficial insects, including pollinators.”

Axalion is the sole representative of a unique class of chemistry discovered by BASF.

With its novel mode of action and its ability to spread within the plant, it will offer farmers highly efficacious control of many problematic piercing and sucking insect pests, including whiteflies and aphids, that can cause devastating yield losses.

Axalion quickly stops insect pests from feeding; this reduces nutrient loss for the plant, and prevents the pests from transmitting diseases, resulting in healthier plants and optimal yields with higher quality.

Extensive testing by BASF has demonstrated that proposed uses of Axalion are environmentally friendly with regard to soil and water organisms, beneficial insects including pollinatorsas well as birds.

Axalion will be registered for use in a broad range of fruit and vegetable crops, including grapes and potatoes.

Additional row-crop uses extend to soybeans and other legumes, cotton and cereals.

Pending regulatory approvals, BASF expects first-market introductions of Axalion-based product formulations as early as 2023 in Australia and South Korea, and 2024 in India.

BASF anticipates market introductions in the EU in 2026.

Source: BASF