BASF unveils Sefina for Cdn. farmers

Jan 18, 2019

New insecticide will protect soybean and potato crops from aphids and viral pathogens

Staff Writer

Farms.com

Canadian soybean and potato producers can benefit from BASF’s new insecticide in their fight against aphids and viral pathogens.

The insecticide, Sefina, “utilizes a unique mode of action, Group 9D active ingredient Inscalis, to quickly halt aphid feeding, reducing production losses and virus transmission,” a Thursday BASF release said.

Sefina demonstrated its ability to protect crops from aphids that are resistant to other insecticides for up to three weeks in research trials across Canada and the U.S.

Since Canadian farmers face difficulties in managing elevated aphid populations, Sefina’s “fast activity provides a new solution to control aphids in soybeans and limit the spread of viral pathogens in potatoes,” said Andrew Geerligs, BASF Canada corn and soybean crop manager, in the release.

Sefina’s ability to work quickly is an innovative way to control aphids in soybeans, and further minimizes the spread of pathogens in potatoes, Geerligs explained.

Sefina differs from other insecticides that protect soybean and potato crops, Geerligs told Farms.com today.

“Many of the current market standards are pyrethroid insecticides,” he said. “These are broad spectrum (products) and may have impacts on non-target beneficial insects in the field. Sefina is unique in that it is targeted to aphids (the primary insect pest in soybeans), it doesn’t impact beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps and ladybugs, and it gives extended control of aphids.”

BASF developed Inscalis after it was first discovered by Dr. Satoshi Omura of the Kitasato Institute, a 2015 Nobel Prize recipient, and his team.

To learn more about Sefina, contact AgSolutions® Customer Care at 1-877-371-BASF (2273) or visit agsolutions.ca. Always read and follow the label instructions.

Updated Jan. 18, 2019

oticki/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo

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