BASF on Dec. 15 unveiled its new Axant Flex herbicide trait technology that provides a quadruple-trait herbicide stack that is tolerant  to Alite 27, BASF’s leading herbicide.

In a conference call with cotton journalists, Matt Cook, BASF field marketing manager, said Axant Flex is on track for a 2023 commercial launch, pending EPA regulatory approval which is expected by the fourth quarter of 2022. The technology is expected to be available in select FiberMax and Stoneville cottonseed varieties for the 2023 growing season.

Axant Flex technology features the Axant herbicide trait, the first trait developed and commercialized in cotton to enable the use of Alite 27 herbicide, an HPPD herbicide, plus GlyTol , LibertyLink and XtendLink  technology traits. XtendLink technology enables cotton growers to spray over-the-top applications of Engenia herbicide.

Luke Mankin, BASF North America regional marketing manager, said Axat Flex is the first and only technology that offers a  quadruple-herbicide tolerant/resistant trait stack in cotton to control resistant weeds such as Palmer amaranth.

“Herbicide-resistant weed pressure is one of the most pervasive challenges cotton growers face,” Mankin said. “For decades, BASF has committed to bringing cotton growers new solutions to combat increasingly resistant weeds, and now with Axant Flex technology, we can give growers back the control and flexibility they need to more effectively win the war against weeds.”

Mankin said Axan Flex technology provides cotton growers more weed control options and improved flexibility in creating weed management strategies. With the  technology, cotton farmers can use four modes of action for more effective control of resistant weeds.

Upon EPA approval, Alite 27 herbicide will provide more flexibility for many growers earlier in the season and can be applied pre-emergence or early post-emergence, as well as tank-mixed with other residual and knockdown herbicides to work within growers’ weed management program, according to a BASF news release.