How Did PowerCore® Enlist® Corn Become One of the Fastest-Growing Above-Ground Traits?
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By now, pretty much everyone knows about PowerCore® Enlist® corn. In just a few short years, it has built a performance reputation among farmers. Corteva Agriscience seed brands, representing more than 30% of the corn market, have embraced it. And more licensees are selling it. But why? With more than 25 above-ground corn traits available today, why has PowerCore Enlist corn stood out and become one of the fastest-growing above-ground traits? Let’s look at the top three reasons we’re hearing from farmers, licensees and seed professionals.
1. Elite genetics: performance, genetic diversity, strong agronomics
The Corteva genetic pipeline draws upon a nearly 100-year legacy and one of the most extensive corn germplasm libraries in the world. Corn breeding, in the simplest terms, is a numbers game. The more material, the more selective breeders can be, which has historically led to performance gains. For licensees, PowerCore Enlist corn opens the door to a whole new class of genetics known for high yield potential and strong agronomics, including stalk strength, speed of emergence and stability.
And things show no signs of slowing down. According to Tom Head, Key Account Team Lead for Thurston Genetics, “The relative maturity spread and the geographic fit of the germplasm continues to expand. And with PowerCore Enlist corn, Corteva has introduced a completely different set of traits and plant characteristics to the market that independent seed companies have not had access to. This means our customers have the opportunity to evaluate germplasm from the widest base they’ve ever had access to, to build a product offering to fit their customer and target acres.”
2. Three modes of action: long-lasting insect control, reduced risk of resistance
PowerCore Enlist corn comes equipped with three distinct Bt proteins, Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab and Cry1F for three modes of action (MOAs) against above-ground insect pests. Many above-ground technologies only include two traits (doubles). Over time, some insects become resistant to Bt proteins and yield suffers. Incorporating more modes of action now helps prevent insects that might not be a problem today from becoming issues in the future. Having three MOAs also helps farmers deal with variable and regional insect pressures. If they have a year where European corn borer or fall armyworm pressures become heavier, PowerCore Enlist corn can help fight those threats.3. Four herbicide tolerances: more flexibility and choice
As weeds continue to evolve, farmers are looking for new tools and weed management strategies to keep up. Should they continue to settle for a corn trait with only one herbicide tolerance? They haven’t in soybeans, and corn is no different. PowerCore® Enlist® corn provides tolerance to four different herbicides: 2,4-D choline found in Enlist® herbicides, glyphosate, glufosinate and FOP herbicides.1,2 This tolerance provides maximum flexibility in controlling tough, broadleaf weeds as well as volunteer corn and grasses. Farmers can keep fence rows clean, go over the top with FOP herbicides to control grasses and even take out a poor corn stand in a replant situation. In addition, growers planting Enlist E3® soybeans, the number one herbicide-tolerant soybean trait technology, receive an extra level of convenience with a simple and effective program to control weeds in both crops.
PowerCore Enlist corn contains three distinct proteins for three unique modes of action against insects. Multiple MOAs make it harder for insect pests to develop resistance to Bt proteins, which can reduce yield.
What does the future hold for PowerCore® Enlist® corn?
To answer that, it really boils down to what farmers want in a corn product. New, unique genetics with high yield potential and strong agronomics? More tools to control insects? More convenience and flexibility in their herbicide programs? In our experience, aligning your offering with what the customer wants tends to drive success in the market. We’re seeing that now with PowerCore Enlist corn.
1 Non-Bt corn products with the Enlist® trait may not contain glufosinate tolerance. See bag tag to verify herbicide tolerance.
2 Not all FOP herbicides are labeled for use in Bt corn products with the Enlist® trait. Before use, review the product label to ensure the product is labeled for use on Bt corn with the Enlist trait.
™ ® 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. POWERCORE® is a registered trademark of Bayer Group. POWERCORE® multi-event technology developed by Corteva Agriscience and Monsanto. Always follow IRM, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Bt products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your seed representative for the registration status in your state. 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. LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are registered trademarks of BASF. Roundup® and Roundup Ready® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. © 2025 Corteva. 025755 LC (05/25)
