Plans to develop herbicide-tolerant sugar beet varieties by non-GM means have been announced, which promises to make new chemistry available to beet growers. An agreement signed by KWS and Bayer CropScience sets out their intention to market an innovative system of weed control, involving the natural introduction of ALS-inhibitor herbicide tolerance into a range of sugar beet varieties, together with the development of specialist herbicides. The partnership will allow both companies to contribute from their specific areas of expertise, with KWS breeding the varieties and Bayer CropScience committing to herbicide development. According to Peter Hofmann, head of the sugar beet division at KWS, the plan is to introduce high-yielding varieties which are suitable for sustainable farming systems.
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