Farm Progress

The company says this is a major step forward in tackling the global problem of herbicide-resistant weeds.

November 20, 2014

1 Min Read

Bayer CropScience has officially opened its Weed Resistance Competence Center (WRCC) in Frankfurt, Germany on 19 November. The center will focus on tackling weed resistance and also developing new control strategies.

The WRCC will serve as Bayer CropScience’s global reference center for weed resistance management. The core activities of its 12 full-time personnel cover three areas:

  1. Understanding weed resistance mechanisms and their evolution in the field

  2. Developing and testing new weed control strategies

  3. Sharing Bayer CropScience’s knowledge and weed control solutions with the entire value chain

To date, 238 weeds have developed resistance to common herbicides, diminishing yields by up to 70 percent.

Project work in Europe, the US and Australia

Bayer weed scientists are focusing on resistance projects in 44 countries across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. In the U.S. they are investigating population genetics and resistance mechanisms in Palmer Amaranth, and in Australia metabolic resistance in Lolium (ryegrass). Looking ahead, WRCC head Harry Strek is planning to further broaden cooperation and dialog with external partners.

Integrated crop solutions

The WRCC is part of a holistic approach to weed management and supports Bayer CropScience’s strategy of developing integrated crop solutions for sustainable agriculture.

Take a virtual tour of WRCC at http://wrcc.thebiggerpicture.bayer.com/

For more information, visit http://www.press.bayercropscience.com.

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