Bayer CropScience Submits EPA Registration Application for ILeVO, First Seed Treatment to Tackle Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS)

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Feb. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past few decades, soybean growers in the Midwest and around the United States have faced a challenge to their crops – Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) – which is dependent on early-season moisture, but when it hits, is devastating to their crops. Bayer CropScience announced today that it has an application pending with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the registration of ILeVO® seed treatment. If approved, ILeVO seed treatment would be the first product to provide breakthrough protection for soybean seedlings from the soil borne pathogen Fusarium virguliforme, the fungus that causes SDS.

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SDS is present in all major soybean-growing regions and continues to adapt into new geographies, causing massive destruction to soybean growers' crops. Once a field is infected, SDS is there to stay. From 2009 to 2011, it is estimated that SDS caused annual yield losses of 42 million bushels per year, proving itself to be a voracious threat to soybean growersⁱ.

During research and field trials, ILeVO seed treatment has shown to protect soybeans from early-season infection and reduce late-season leaf chlorosis and necrosis that leads to leaf, flower and pod abortion, resulting in yield loss. The active ingredient in ILeVO is systemic and moves from the seed into the tissue of both the stem and roots of soybean seedlings, a method of distribution that is critical to the success of ILeVO for SDS disease control.

"The cotyledons and roots act as a sink for ILeVO, enabling the product to stay where it is needed to protect against early-season infection way in advance of SDS visual symptoms appearing in the field," said Jennifer Riggs, Bayer SeedGrowth product development manager.

Daren Mueller, assistant professor at Iowa State University said that growers should focus on an integrated approach to SDS management.

"While we do have some levels of resistance to the disease in many of the maturity groups, there are no soybeans that are completely immune to SDS. Having an integrated management approach with the addition of ILeVO would provide a sound set of tools for growers to protect their crop when resistance breaks down. We've tested it, and it appears to be a very effective product in preventing damage from SDS," stated Mueller.

In line with Bayer CropScience's commitment to stewardship, research has shown that ILeVO is safe to the seed with no impact on germination. ILeVO boasts an excellent in-can product stability profile and is compatible with Bayer SeedGrowth™ portfolio of soybean seed treatments.

Bayer currently anticipates EPA registration for ILeVO seed treatment by the end of 2014. If registered this year, Bayer anticipates ILeVO will be available for the 2015 growing season.

Bayer CropScience SeedGrowth page:
http://www.cropscience.bayer.com/en/Products-and-Innovation/Brands/SeedGrowth.aspx

Bayer CropScience Twitter Page: 
http://twitter.com/bayer4cropsus

Bayer CropScience Blog:
http://connect.bayercropscience.us

Bayer CropScience is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer CropScience representative, or visit Bayer CropScience online at www.bayercropscience.us.

Visit the Bayer Connect - Social Hub for all Bayer CropScience social media, recent news, blog posts, videos and more.

About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience, the subgroup of Bayer AG responsible for the agricultural business, has annual sales of EUR 8,383 million (2012) and is one of the world's leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural pest control. The company offers an outstanding range of products including high value seeds, innovative crop protection solutions based on chemical and biological modes of action as well as an extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture. In the area of non-agricultural applications, Bayer CropScience has a broad portfolio of products and services to control pests from home and garden to forestry applications. The company has a global workforce of 20,800 (Dec 31, 2012) and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.

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Find more information at www.bayercropscience.us.

Forward-Looking Statements 
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

© 2014 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer (reg'd), the Bayer Cross (reg'd), SeedGrowth and ILeVO are trademarks of Bayer. ILeVO is not registered and not available for sale. This press release is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to promote the sale of these products. Any sale of these products after registration is obtained shall be solely on the basis of the EPA approved product label(s), and any claims regarding product safety and efficacy shall be addressed solely by the label(s). For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.BayerCropScience.us.

ⁱ C. Bradley, S. Koenning & United Soybean Board

SOURCE Bayer CropScience

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