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Dow’s 2,4-D resistant trait a step closer
Dow’s genetically engineered 2,4-D herbicide resistant trait is another step closer to approval.
The USDA released a draft Environmental Impact Statement Friday indicating that full deregulation is the “preferred” option for the technology, which is part of Dow’s Enlist Weed Control System for corn and soybeans.
Dow’s Damon Palmer welcomed the news.
“The timing is really a great start to 2014 as we continue to move Enlist through the regulatory process in hopes of delivering that to the American farmer for 2015,” Palmer says.
While many farmers are anxious to use the new technology, others have expressed concern that overuse of 2,4-D eventually could lead to 2,4-D resistant weeds. Palmer says Dow is committed to introducing the technology responsibly and sustaining it for the long term.
“Herbicide resistance is always something that the industry is going to have to proactively manage,” he says, “and Enlist will be great tool to help with that.”
Palmer says the Enlist traits actually provides tolerance to multiple herbicides.
“Enlist will be stacked with glyphosate tolerance, so you’ll have the glyphosate tolerance plus the 2,4-D tolerance,” Palmer says. “And in soybeans we will have glufosinate tolerance and in corn we’ll actually have tolerance to the FOP herbicides.”
Palmer says they are also going to recommend soil-applied residual herbicides which will have multiple modes of action as well.
“One of the best ways to proactively manage weed resistance is to diversify your modes of action,” he says, “and so all the different herbicide tolerances that the Enlist Weed Control System will offer will help proactively manage weed resistance.”
Once the draft of the USDA’s Environmental Impact Statement is published in the Federal Register, which should happen within the next week, the public will have 45 days to comment on it.
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