ILeVO Continues to Deliver Yield Increases in 2015 Soybean Trials

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A full slate of yield comparison trials with ILeVO^® seed treatment across U.S. soybean growing states in 2015 has reinforced the positive results from three years of previous research in the product's record of disease and nematode suppression. An average yield benefit of 6.5 bu/A for soybeans treated with ILeVO was observed in 33 trials with above ground symptoms of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). Even trials with little or no above ground symptoms of SDS showed an average yield benefit of 2.9 bu/A with ILeVO across 95 trials.

"The results from the 2015 trials further confirm what we've already seen in previous years," says Kerry Grossweiler, Bayer product manager. "SDS has become an increasingly devastating yield and profit robber in soybean production areas throughout almost every growing region in the U.S. over the past 40 years," he says. "If soybean cyst nematodes are also a factor, the potential yield loss is even greater because injury to the roots provides an easy access point for fungal infection."

SDS was first documented in Arkansas in 1971 and has since spread to almost every soybean growing state in the U.S., as well as Ontario, Canada, with devastating consequences. Yield losses are greater when the disease develops in the early reproductive stages of plant growth. The incidence and severity are compounded when soybeans are planted early in wet, cool soils. Initial damage often goes unnoticed as the soilborne fungus Fusarium virgulifome begins infecting roots out of sight before the critical reproductive period and only shows up visually above ground as a discoloration in the leaves later in the season.

In 2014, the damage caused by SDS cost soybean growers more than 60 million bushels in lost yield, second only to the damage caused by the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and nearly equal to the losses associated with general seedling diseases.

ILeVO is the only seed treatment with activity against SDS as well as seed-zone activity against soybean cyst nematode (SCN). It also protects against other nematode species such as root-knot, reniform, root lesion and lance.

ILeVO stops infection of the roots early in the season reducing the incidence and severity of above ground symptoms later in the season. "While ILeVO will not completely eradicate disease symptoms from a field, the incidence will be lowered and plants will maintain leaves longer, resulting in greater nutritional uptake for healthier pods & bigger seeds that lead to increased yields," Grossweiler says.

Early protection is the key to optimize yields even with seed varieties that offer some measure of disease and nematode resistance.

"There are currently no seed varieties that offer complete protection from disease and nematodes," Grossweiler says. "ILeVO complements seed varieties, increasing early season vigor and enabling plants to reach their full yield potential. Growers can plant earlier with less risk of reduced yields from disease and nematode pressure."

ILeVO is available as part of a seed treatment package with Bayer product Poncho^®/VOTiVO^®, and when paired with seedling disease base fungicide seed treatments, provides powerful protection against the top three soybean diseases – soybean cyst nematode, sudden death syndrome and seedling disease. In 2015 trials against competitive products, the ILeVO and Poncho/VOTiVO combination out performed by five bu/A across 54 university trials.

Bayer 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 representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

Visit the Bayer Connect - Social Hub for social media, recent news, blog posts, videos and more from Crop Science, a division of Bayer.

Bayer: Science For A Better Life
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2014, the Group employed around 119,000 people and had sales of EUR 42.2 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.5 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 3.6 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

Find more information at www.cropscience.bayer.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.

© 2016 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, ILeVO, Poncho and VOTiVO are registered trademarks of Bayer. Not all products are registered for use in all states. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.BayerCropScience.us.

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SOURCE Bayer Corporation

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