Matthias Pfenning: We Have Created a Herbicide Which Works in the Arid Conditions of Ukraine

The company BASF has recently presented in Ukraine a new technology in the sunflower herbicidal protection Clearfield® Plus, which is an advanced extension of Clearfield® system. The new technology consists of two parts — unique herbicides and herbicide-resistant sunflower hybrids. The specialists in biology, chemistry, plant breeding and agronomy have been working on the development of this technology for more than 10 years.

Read on: BASF introduced a new production system Clearfield® Plus

During the presentation Latifundist.com spoke with one of the developers of the new technology, technical support manager for Clearfield® production system in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia Matthias Pfenning.

Latifundist.com: What were the disadvantages in the previous Clearfield® system that made you develop a new technology — Clearfield® Plus?

Matthias Pfenning: The main reason was the fact that it was rather difficult for breeders of seed companies to create hybrids for the Clearfield® system as hybrid stability was achieved only with the presence of two genes. Long-term studies and experiments made it possible to create hybrids, its tolerance is caused by the presence of a single gene only. This significantly increased their resistance to herbicide exposure, as well as simplified the herbicides production.

Sunflower

Latifundist.com: In terms of the new system studies, some Ukrainian farmers had the opportunity to test Clearfield® Plus on their own fields. On what soil and in what weather and climatic conditions has  the technology proven to be the best?

Matthias Pfenning: During our experiments we did not notice much difference, because the active ingredients remain the same, regardless of climate or soil type. The only thing we can say is that this technology has more advantages in the dry conditions. This is due to the fact that the farmer has the possibility to adjust the application rate in his field. The minimum rate of Clearfield® Plus herbicide provides reliable weed control while reducing pesticide load. This can be important in arid regions.

Latifundist.com: What about sunflower hybrids? Which of them proved to be better in conjunction with the new technology herbicides?

Mattias Pfenning: We must be diplomatic in this respect because Clearfield® Plus system consists of two parts — the BASF herbicides and sunflower hybrids of different seed companies. So we can not say who is better and who is worse. There are hybrids that have proved to be excellent, but we will not conceal that there are those that have proved to be lower than average. We are responsible only for herbicides and for making sure that these hybrids have resistance to them. The seed companies make decision about which hybrids should be taken to the market. But the main decision is made by farmers. Especially because the market situation is constantly changing.

For example, we currently have about 35 hybrids for the internal test. About 30 of those hybrids will enter the market, because the other 5 did not show a sufficient level of tolerance. And this happens every year — the same hybrid can show different results.

System Clearfield® Plus

Latifundist.com: If we talk about Clearfield® Plus technology in general, have you already noticed any disadvantages?

Matthias Pfenning: By now we have not noticed any flaws. Clearfield® Plus system is just entering the market. It is possible that we physically have not had sufficient time to notice some aspects. It takes time to see the weaknesses of the technology. In the meantime, everything works well.

Latifundist.com: Do you plan to develop similar systems for other crops?

Matthias Pfenning: At the moment, nothing has been planned. We have Clearfield® system for winter and spring rapeseed, which has already been introduced in Europe and Ukraine. There is also Clearfield® system for rice, which was introduced in Southeast Asia. There will also be a presentation of another system for rice, for which a new herbicide has already been developed. We have also developed a tool that will enhance the development of the sunflower root system to improve the moisture absorption. We are developing in this direction.

Sunflower field

Latifundist.com: How is BASF responding to climate change, because the plants suffer from lack of moisture?

Matthias Pfenning: As a company we can only work on the symptoms but not the causes that lead to climate change. We have limited resources to somehow influence it. What are we doing? Thanks to the Clearfield® Plus system, we control the weeds that take away moisture and nutrients from the soil. The Clearfield® Plus system does not require additional operations for tillage, which allows to preserve moisture. This is what we can do in the current climatic conditions.

Latifundist.com: Thank you for the interesting conversation!

Kate Nykonchuk, Latifundist.com

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