BASF prepares for the launch of a novel rice insecticide with the registration of Prexio^® Active

• Registrations for Prexio^® Active submitted in key Asia Pacific markets including India
• Advanced mode of action designed specifically to target the full rice hopper complex
• Market introduction of Prexio-based products expected in second quarter of 2025

BASF has started the registration for Prexio^® Active, a new insecticide active ingredient designed specifically to manage all four rice hopper species. The regulatory dossiers were recently submitted in key Asia Pacific markets. This step marks an important milestone in further expanding BASF’s global insecticide portfolio and the company’s position in providing sustainable innovations to rice farmers in Asia.

“Rice growers in Asia are looking for advanced solutions that provide both powerful and sustainable control of damaging rice hoppers, amidst growing insecticide resistance and an increasing global demand for rice,” said Harold Bastiaans, Vice President Global Insecticide Research and Seed Solutions at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “With Prexio we continue to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to provide growers with cutting-edge innovations to safeguard their crops while at the same time being highly compatible with beneficials and the environment when applied according to label instructions.”

The new insecticide active ingredient has no known cross-resistance to market standards and is classified as a Group 4E insecticide by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC). Prexio provides outstanding efficacy and long residual control against all damaging life stages of the four rice hopper species, including brown planthoppers, white-backed planthoppers, small brown planthoppers, and rice green leafhoppers. Prexio Active quickly halts feeding and prevents the rice hopper’s ability to develop and reproduce, restricting its ability to damage the rice crop.

Studies conducted have demonstrated that Prexio Active also fortifies rice plants with superior plant health benefits. Prexio-treated rice plots show a stronger stem, a denser canopy, enhanced root mass and broader flag leaves resulting in a more protected plant with potential to deliver higher yield for rice growers.

“Prexio Active marks the first BASF insecticide active ingredient developed specifically for the rice crop system. It offers growers a tool that is easy to use and flexible in supporting their various rice farming practices, such as granular application for traditional nursery box farming or foliar application for transplanted and direct seeded rice,” said Stephanie Jensen, Vice President Crop System Rice and Portfolio Solutions Insecticides and Seed Treatment at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “With its broad application window, Prexio allows growers to choose the application timing that works best for their operations.”

“This highly effective active ingredient only requires one spray under normal pest pressure, saving rice growers time and labor,” said Devendra Vyas, Global Prexio Project Lead, BASF Agricultural Solutions. “The suspension concentrate formulation of Prexio Active is both drone- and tank mix-compatible with many commonly used crop protection products in the rice production system. This enables Prexio to be easily tank mixed with other crop protection products.”

Pending regulatory approvals, BASF expects first market introductions of Prexio-based product formulations as early as the second quarter of 2025 in India for the important Kharif season. The company anticipates further introductions to quickly follow in other Asia Pacific key countries, including China, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam.
 

Visit the Prexio website to learn more.

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €900 million in 2023, we continue to invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023, our division generated sales of €10.1 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.
 

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

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