Basf launches Liberty ULTRA, the first herbicide based on Glu-L technology, in the United States

Basf today announced that it will introduce the first Liberty® ULTRA herbicide based on Glu-L™ technology to the U.S. market. This is a post-crop herbicide containing only active isomers that can be used in modified crops.

Liberty ULTRA herbicides will effectively control grasses and hard-to-remove broadleaf weeds in Glufosinate ammonium-resistant soybeans, cotton, canola, and corn, such as water ramie, amaranth, giant ragweed, and ground bark. The product is expected to be registered by the end of 2023, launched in select markets in 2024, and fully rolled out in 2025.

The launch of Liberty ULTRA will pave the way for BASF to launch several premixed herbicides based on Glu-L technology within a decade. Glu-L technology removes the inactive D isomer and only retains the L isomer with herbicidal activity, which reduces the dosage by 25% compared with the currently used phosphine oxalate herbicide. This innovative technology condenses the power of 32 fluid ounces of Liberty herbicide into 24 fluid ounces of Liberty ULTRA herbicide, making it easier to use.

According to BASF, Liberty ULTRA has improved the formulation of Liberty herbicide to provide U.S. farmers with the best Liberty herbicide BASF has ever produced. Liberty herbicides are formulated with the addition of solvents and surfactants, a special combination that offers significant herbicidal advantages over regular Glufosinate ammonium herbicides.

The formula locks more droplets onto weed leaves, resulting in better leaf coverage with each spray. When the leaves are covered, the patented formula allows more herbicide to enter the weeds, nearly three times as much as the regular Glufosinate ammonium herbicide.

Liberty is currently the leading herbicide in weed control for several modified crops. Liberty ULTRA is a major change in the way Glufosinate ammonium is produced and marketed, and will eventually replace racemic mixtures of Liberty herbicides.

Basf says Liberty is the broadest and most effective herbicide available for a variety of modified crops, and Liberty ULTRA will enhance this legacy by increasing ease of operation and more consistent weed control performance.