Corteva’s solutions for weed control and nitrogen fixation help grain farmers move forward

At NAMPO Cape, Corteva’s team, led by Ané Loggenberg, Willie Auret, and Juan Pretorius, spoke with farmers about one of the biggest challenges in grain production: how to control weeds in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way, and how to improve nitrogen utilisation when plants need it most.

The discussions made it clear that Corteva’s local and international research is focused on developing solutions that truly help farmers protect and improve their yields.

Weed control: Ryegrass and broadleaf suppression

Ryegrass (Lolium spp.) remains one of the most persistent problems for grain producers. This grass weed directly competes with the crop for light, nutrients, and water. According to Willie, the key to successful ryegrass control is a combination of a reliable residual herbicide and good management techniques. Aubaine® 518 SC is one of Corteva’s key products in this regard.

It is a suspension concentrate that combines two active ingredients: chlorotoluron, which blocks photosynthesis in weeds, and isoxaben, which stops the growth of broadleaf weeds by inhibiting cell wall formation. The combination of these two actions makes Aubaine a powerful tool to clean the field early. Farmers can apply it at planting or shortly after emergence, allowing great flexibility in seasonal planning.

Broadleaf weed control is further enhanced by the Arylex® range. Arylex (halauxifen-methyl) is a modern synthetic auxin specifically developed to target broadleaf weeds. Products like Pixxaro® 266 EC, Quelex 200 WG, and Tarzec 320 WG are excellent choices for farmers seeking reliable results. The benefit of Arylex-based products is that they can be used at low doses, which reduces the chemical load on the soil and the environment. Since they break down quickly, they leave little to no residue that could affect the next season’s crops. This makes it easier for farmers to manage crop rotation systems without worrying about damage to follow-up crops.

The combination of Aubaine and the Arylex range makes it possible to tackle both grass and broadleaf weeds simultaneously, a key strategy to reduce yield losses and limit resistance development. As Ané puts it, Corteva’s portfolio gives farmers the chance to establish a clean, competitive grain field that can reach its full yield potential right from the start.

Juan Pretorius explained the benefits of the brand-new BlueN™ product for farmers struggling with nitrogen uptake in their plants.

BlueN™: Biological nitrogen fixation for optimal growth

In addition to weed control, Juan Pretorius introduced farmers to BlueN™, one of Corteva’s newest biological solutions. This product is a patented biostimulant that contains a natural endophytic bacterium, Methylobacterium symbioticum SB32. After being sprayed on the leaves, the microorganisms enter the plant through the stomata and colonise the leaf tissue. Once the colony is established, the bacterium begins to fix atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into ammonium, a plant-available form of nitrogen.

It has been internationally proven that about half of all applied nitrogen is not used by plants due to various abiotic factors like limiting soil conditions that hinder uptake, as well as leaching. As a result, plants experience several periods in the growth cycle where nitrogen is needed but not sufficiently available.

With the application of BlueN™, the plant can now function more effectively and maintain a better internal nutrient status throughout the entire growth cycle. In more than a thousand international trials across various crops, the use of BlueN™ has been shown to provide a measurable yield increase, especially when used as part of an integrated nutrition program.

BlueN™ is the first biostimulant in the world to receive “Process verified program” confirmation from the U.S. (https://www.global-agriculture.com/global-agriculture/corteva-agriscience-receives-first-usda-verification-for-biostimulant/).

Another key benefit of BlueN™ is its contribution to sustainability. BlueN™ gives producers the potential to enhance plant nutrition and increase yields using environmentally friendly and biological solutions. This aligns with the global shift toward regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming practices.

The new product enables the plant to absorb nitrogen not only from the soil but also from the atmosphere, improving plant metabolism and ultimately increasing yields.

Research and global partnerships

Ané and Willie also emphasised that Corteva continuously invests in research and development. With their international footprint, they are able to test new technologies in other countries before introducing them to South Africa. Products like Aubaine and the Arylex range have already proven successful in countries like Australia and the USA, which face similar challenges with weed resistance and climate conditions.

This international experience gives local farmers greater peace of mind that the solutions offered here have been tested under various conditions and perform reliably.

Corteva works through a network of dealers and agricultural advisors to ensure that farmers have access to the right products and expertise. This means producers receive not just a bottle of chemicals, but also the support and advice to ensure it’s applied correctly for maximum effectiveness.

In a time when every rand and every kilogram of grain counts, solutions like Aubaine, the Arylex range, and BlueN™ make a difference. They give farmers the opportunity to proactively control weeds, improve nitrogen utilisation, and at the same time follow more sustainable farming practices.

Corteva’s presence at NAMPO Cape once again showed that they are committed to supporting South African farmers with innovative, scientifically proven products that promote both productivity and environmental responsibility.

For more information about these products and how they can be applied on your farm, visit www.corteva.co.za or contact your nearest dealer.

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