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Last month’s Groundwork reviewed “the six years to #1 journey” of Enlist E3® soybeans. And the growth continues as latest estimates report 65% U.S. market penetration for 2024. With all this acceptance and marketplace experience, we might imagine there’s “nothing left to learn” about the Enlist® technology. But is this true or false?

To find out, we spoke recently with Scott Plagman, Portfolio Manager, Corteva Agriscience. And you guessed it: Plagman quickly came up with four top myths about Enlist E3 soybeans.


Myth #1: Genetics

Every company's genetics are similar. 

According to Plagman, this might be the easiest of all myths to bust.

“There may have been some truth to this six years ago. Back then, we were still working to broadly introduce the Enlist E3 trait into Corteva gernmplasm,” he says. “Those days are long gone,” he emphasizes. “Availability of unique genetics from the Corteva program has exploded, especially in the past four ‘classes’ we’ve introduced.”

Plagman cites breadth and depth of choices across maturities, and improvements in yield, agronomics, plant architecture and even color as the gamechanging uniqueness Corteva R&D has brought to market. “Our focus is genetic gain and agronomic strength,” he says. And proof of achieving those objectives has shown up on millions of acres.

He points to six areas where Corteva genetics stand out:

PLANT ARCHITECTURE/YIELD

The first difference you see in Enlist E3 genetics from Corteva is the plant itself. Overall, it's a fuller canopy, bushy and a taller plant. More biomass powering the plant has been a key contributor to genetic gain of Corteva germplasm.

COLOR

You’ll see a lot of light tawnies in our genetic portfolio, along with some grays as well. For growers who want tawny beans, we have those as well!

SOYBEAN CYST NEMATODE

Corteva genetics lead the pack when it comes to broad protection from multiple races of SCN, including the Peking SCN technology. The choices are there for our licensees.

PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT ROT

We’ve brought multi-stacked protection into our Corteva genetics. Today, we offer multiple options.

WHITE MOLD

Our use of analytics and precision phenotyping during product advancement allows Corteva to select products that will reduce risk of white mold in farmers' fields.

BOLT® TECHNOLOGY

We’ve brought BOLT technology and the STS® gene into our late Group 3 and Group 4 genetics. For no-till, reduced till and with all the double-crop soybeans we’re seeing, BOLT is a great option. Higher rates and reduced plant-back restrictions of some herbicide products are enabled by BOLT or STS technology. Farmers can take advantage of the technology all season long.


Myth #2: Investment

Investment in Enlist E3 technology has peaked

 “We’re in the best position we’ve ever been … with an expected ~65% market penetration,” says Plagman. “We know what our genetics can do.” As such, he says it’s full speed ahead in pursuit of more performance gains. “Every class of Enlist E3 soybeans we’ve released has been an improvement. And we’ll continue to improve Enlist germplasm, yield and agronomics. The genetic pipeline is wide, deep and strong.”

Plagman attributes 50+ years of soybean genetic development as the driver that sets the stage for more generations of improved Enlist E3 soybeans. “And that’s good for our seed company licensees and good for the American farmer.”



Myth #3

There less fit for Enlist E3 soybeans in cotton country.

Not so, says Plagman. That’s because the same genetic pluses that Corteva genetics are known for in other regions — yield, agronomics, plant height and standability — come into play in cotton country. In addition, Plagman says there’s another big advantage of the Enlist® weed control system. “Enlist soybeans give cotton growers true options and solutions for weed control. Enlist® herbicides are labeled, and ‘good to go.'”

With continuing questions about other technologies, the Enlist weed control system delivers weed control and “neighbor-friendly” benefits growers can put to work today in both soybeans and cotton. And Plagman says don’t overlook the performance of Enlist E3 soybeans. “Our genetics fit with southern soil types. The yields of our Group 4, 5 and 6 genetics have been outstanding.” Plagman cites options for root-knot nematode and stem canker conditions as additional reasons why Enlist E3 soybeans and PhytoGen® cottonseed with the Enlist cotton trait provide great solutions in cotton country.


Myth #4: All bets in

Corteva has all bets placed on the current Enlist E3 technology.

Plagman cites the announcement in 2022 about development of future herbicide-tolerant soybeans and complementing herbicides as the “myth-buster” to #4. The strategic cross-licensing agreements involve Corteva and BASF and include the development of new trait stacks.

As stated in a recent press release: Corteva will combine a proprietary PPO (protoporphyrinogen oxidase) gene licensed from BASF with its portfolio of herbicide tolerant traits, including Corteva’s proprietary 2,4-D choline gene, to develop a new trait stack for soybeans. The stack will include tolerance to four herbicide modes of action, or distinct mechanisms to achieve control. Together they will provide a new, effective and flexible option to help control the most problematic weeds. This innovative herbicide tolerance stack is expected to be available in all Corteva seed brands. Corteva has licensed the stack to BASF for use in BASF seed brands and also anticipates licensing the trait stack to additional seed companies. The companies anticipate commercialization in the early 2030s, pending regulatory reviews and completion of field testing, with the first launch in North America.

 

™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies.

The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3® soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies L.L.C. Following burndown, Enlist Duo® and Enlist One® herbicides with Colex-D® technology are the only herbicides containing 2,4-D that are authorized for preemergence and postemergence use with Enlist® crops. Consult Enlist® herbicide labels for weed species controlled. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are not registered for use or sale in all states and counties; are not registered in AK, CA, CT, HI, ID, MA, ME, MT, NH, NV, OR, RI, UT, VT, WA and WY; and have additional subcounty restrictions in AL, GA, TN and TX, while existing county restrictions still remain in FL. All users must check “Bulletins Live! Two” no earlier than six months before using Enlist One or Enlist Duo. To obtain “Bulletins,” consult epa.gov/espp/, call 1-844-447-3813, or email ESPP@epa.gov. You must use the “Bulletin” valid for the month and state and county in which Enlist One or Enlist Duo are being applied. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency if you have questions about the registration status of Enlist® herbicides in your area. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TO USE ANY PESTICIDE PRODUCT OTHER THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS LABELING. ONLY USE FORMULATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR SUCH USE IN THE STATE OF APPLICATION. USE OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, 2,4-D-CONTAINING PRODUCTS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE WITH ENLIST CROPS, MAY RESULT IN OFF-TARGET DAMAGE TO SENSITIVE CROPS/AREAS AND/OR SUSCEPTIBLE PLANTS, IN ADDITION TO CIVIL AND/OR CRIMINAL PENALTIES. Additional product-specific stewardship requirements for Enlist crops, including the Enlist Product Use Guide, can be found at www.traitstewardship.com. Always follow stewardship practices in accordance with the Product Use Guide (PUG) or other product-specific stewardship requirements including grain marketing and pesticide label directions. Varieties with BOLT® technology provide excellent plant-back flexibility for soybeans following application of sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides such as DuPont™ LeadOff® or DuPont™ Basis® Blend as a component of a burndown program or for double-crop soybeans following SU herbicides such as DuPont™ Finesse® applied to wheat the previous fall. STS® APPROVED HERBICIDE STATEMENT: This variety contains a trait providing enhanced tolerance to labeled specific sulfonylurea soybean herbicides. The STS® gene will not safeguard this variety against other herbicide chemistries which are labeled to be used only over-the-top of crops that have a different and specified herbicide resistant gene. Always read and follow herbicide directions prior to use. Not all herbicides are registered for sale or use in all states or counties in the United States or all provinces in Canada. Contact your local regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Always read and follow label directions. ACCIDENTAL APPLICATION OF INCOMPATIBLE HERBICIDES TO THIS VARIETY COULD RESULT IN TOTAL CROP LOSS. YOU MUST SIGN A TECHNOLOGY USE AGREEMENT AND READ THE PRODUCT USE GUIDE PRIOR TO PLANTING. The purchase of these seeds includes a limited license to produce a single soybean crop in the United States (or other applicable country). The use of seed from such a crop or the progeny thereof for propagation or seed multiplication or for production or development of a hybrid or different variety of seed is strictly prohibited. Resale or transfer of the seed is strictly prohibited. Liberty® is a registered trademark of BASF. © 2024 Corteva. 022975 LC (09/24)