"Poncho/VOTiVO Seed Treatment Receives EPA Registration for Corn

by Bayer CropScience

Using a high-powered compound microscope you can see the head and neck of a nematode. USDA Photo by Peggy Greb. New product protects corn from broad range of insects and nematodes. RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (April 13, 2010) – New Poncho®/VOTiVO™ seed treatment from Bayer CropScience has received registration from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in corn. "We are very pleased to bring this product to market after conducting years of research and hundreds of trials,"said Poncho/VOTiVO corn product manager Kerry Grossweiler."We have successfully combined the No. 1 corn seed-applied insecticide with a truly innovative new approach to protect seedlings and roots from nematodes. For growers, that means improved plant vigor, fierce yields and a positive return on investment." Poncho/VOTiVO features the higher-powered 500 rate (.500 mg of a.i. per kernel) of Poncho 600 seed-applied insecticide, so corn growers get increased control of wireworms, black cutworms, white grubs and other early season insect pests. Using the 500 rate produces more plants per acre and higher yields than the industry standard 250 rate (.250 mg of a.i. per kernel), Grossweiler said. But what makes this seed treatment truly unique, said product development manager Jennifer Riggs, is the inclusion of a specific bacteria strain that colonizes corn roots upon germination and creates a biological barrier of protection that nematodes can’t break through. "There are about a dozen nematode species that can cause major problems in corn,"Riggs said. "Poncho/VOTiVO provides protection against nematode feeding–regardless of the target nematode species." Bayer CropScience has collaborated with numerous university Extension nematologists, seed company agronomists, crop consultants and others to conduct a total of 167 field trials since 2007. These trials, planted across widespread geographies and field conditions, showed Poncho/VOTiVO averaging a 6 to 8 bu/A yield gain over Poncho 250. Large demonstration plots have been planned for the 2010 crop season. "Poncho/VOTiVO is a part of a growing seed treatment portfolio from Bayer CropScience,"Grossweiler said. "This company already is an industry leader in traditional and biological seed treatments, and we plan to bring several more high-quality products to market in the next five years." For more information, contact your local seed dealer or Bayer CropScience field representative, or visit www.VOTiVO.us. Bayer CropScience LP is the U.S. business of Bayer CropScience AG. About Bayer CropScience Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 6.5 billion (2009), is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and traits. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of 18,700 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.

Editor's Note: Forward-looking statement This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports, which are available on the Bayer Web site at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer (reg’d), the Bayer Cross (reg’d), Poncho® and VOTiVO™ are trademarks of Bayer. Poncho and Poncho/VOTiVO are not registered in all states. For additional product information call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our Web site at www.BayerCropScienceUS.com.