Syngenta Introduces Breakthrough Herbicide Tackling Resistant Weeds Affecting 43 Percent of Crop Yields

Syngenta recently announced that its newly developed herbicide, metproxybicyclone, has been officially classified as a new chemical subclass by the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) and the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA). This milestone represents a significant advancement in herbicide technology, offering farmers a novel solution to combat herbicide-resistant weeds.

Herbicide-resistant weeds pose a global agricultural crisis, impacting over 100 crops in 75 countries. Studies show that 40% of resistant weeds belong to the grass family, competing with crops for water, nutrients, and sunlight. These invasive species can reduce major crop yields by as much as 43%, threatening the sustainability of food production systems.

Metproxybicyclone, a fourth-generation acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitor, is specifically designed to control grass weeds resistant to conventional herbicides like glyphosate and clethodim. This innovation follows Syngenta’s third-generation ACCase inhibitor, pinoxaden, launched in 2006, and fills a 20-year gap in ACCase subclass innovation.

This cutting-edge herbicide is expected to debut in Argentina in 2026, pending regulatory approvals, and offers renewed hope for farmers battling resistant weeds.