One of the greatest successes of plant breeding is undoubtedly the development of varieties that not only produce good yields but are also resistant or tolerant to certain pests and pathogens. Thanks to their natural genetic protection, these varieties contribute significantly to securing yields, cutting back on the use of chemical pesticides and making agriculture more sustainable. But the question is: What measures are needed to ensure the long-term effectiveness of this genetic protection?
The development of a new variety takes many years of intensive research and breeding work – so it is crucial to exploit its potential to the full for as long as possible. Resistance is considered ineffective if a variety is no longer sufficiently protected against a disease or if weeds continue to grow despite the use of herbicides. Against this background, KWS develops specific stewardship programs, providing instructions for users on how to employ the technologies sustainably – with the aim of effectively managing the strategically important resistance properties of the varieties. These programs consist of a combination of agronomic measures (crop rotation, soil cultivation), the correct handling of chemical pesticides (amount used, time of application) and digital faming solutions. User training is a vital part of this.
KWS has repeatedly achieved milestones, particularly when it comes to breeding tolerant and resistant sugarbeet varieties. The latest successes are CONVISO® SMART and CR+, two technologies that each have their own stewardship program.
The CONVISO® SMART stewardship program:
The CONVISO® SMART system was developed jointly by KWS and Bayer Crop Science. By means of traditional breeding methods, KWS has been able to create sugarbeet varieties that are tolerant to the Bayer herbicide CONVISO® ONE. This gives sugarbeet growers a sustainable and efficient weed control option. By using this technology, they are able to control weeds that have previously been problematic, while at the same time reducing the number of herbicide treatments. CONVISO® SMART sugarbeets from KWS are successfully cultivated all over the world. With a specially developed stewardship program that includes clear instructions for users as well as a dedicated distribution system, KWS ensures that all stakeholders – i.e., the sugar industry, retailers and farmers – understand the unique features of the technology and are able to exploit them to the full. This ensures that the system will remain effective for a long time.
CR+ varieties with integrated Cercospora management
Cercospora is the most common leaf disease in many sugarbeet growing areas and can lead to yield losses of up to 50 percent. KWS has developed varieties with unique CR+ genetics that, thanks to their tolerance, offer excellent protection against Cercospora and reliably deliver high yields, whether or not the disease pressure is very high or extraordinarily low. Here, too, a stewardship program aims to ensure that the tolerance to Cercospora remains effective over the long term. The CR+ varieties form the basis for this, coupled with precise instructions on targeted fungicide use and infestation monitoring, as well as soil and crop management measures.
Farming solutions are currently being tested for both the CR+ varieties and the CONVISO® SMART system. Growers can use these solutions to obtain even more precise information – for example, on the right time to spray pesticides.
As a plant breeder, KWS focuses on developing successful varieties. However, as agriculture gains in complexity, it is becoming more and more important to support farmers in growing these varieties. The company’s stewardship systems play a key role in this regard.
