Best Novel Agricultural Biotechnology
Winner
Pioneer Hi-Bred International
and DuPont Crop Protection
– Optimum GAT Herbicide
Tolerance Trait
Shortlisted
Monsanto – Roundup Ready
Soybeans
T
his award was not a measure of commercial success
but recognised the most significant practical application
of a novel biotechnology to the advancement of crop
protection or agriculture. The award was open to any
The Winner’s Response
agricultural biotechnology, including those that have been
commercialised, are currently in development or are in the
Dupont is honored to receive this award for the “Best Novel
early stages of research.
Agricultural Biotechnology” in recognition of our Optimum™
GAT™ trait. Crops containing the Optimum™ GAT™ trait will
Third in the hat-trick of wins for DuPont Crop Protection
bring to maize and soybean customers the first dual mode
and its subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International was the
of action weed control solution and provide greater flexibility
Optimum GAT Herbicide Tolerance Trait that used proprietary
in weed control practices. The Optimum™ GAT™ trait offers
DNA shuffling technology to develop crop tolerance to both
growers expanded choices for controlling a broad spectrum of
glyphosate and ALS herbicides.
weeds through both glyphosate and ALS herbicide tolerance.
Glyphosate resistant weeds are an emerging problem.
As with all endeavors in scientific achievement, this has been
As weed populations shift and adapt to current herbicide
a team effort. There are too many to mention specifically, but
programs, products with the Optimum GAT trait are expected
literally hundreds of people from across our organization deserve
to offer growers new herbicide choices that are tailored
the credit for the discovery and optimization of the Glyphosate
to meet their needs for weed control. This includes the
Acetyl Transferase gene; the discovery and isolation of the HRA
ability to incorporate complementary ALS herbicides used
allele of the Acetolactate Synthase gene; the oversight of the
in conjunction with other families of herbicides offered by
trait through the development process; and the stewardship of
DuPont Crop Protection into a glyphosate-based program,
the regulatory process, which we are still in. And as we speak,
giving growers the flexibility to attain longer lasting weed
folks are already solidifying the marketing plans for the launch of
control under more varied conditions. The Optimum GAT trait
this product, as we near commercialization. We anticipate crops
technology combined with new DuPont blended herbicide
with the Optimum™ GAT™ trait will be available by the end of
products is expected to offer farmers important new tools to
the decade, pending regulatory approval.
manage weeds and improve their crop productivity.
The Optimum™ GAT™ trait is the first of several biotech traits
DuPont is bringing to market that utilize the power of gene
Photo: L-R: Dr Rod Morrod - Awards judge; Dr John
shuffling to optimize protein function for commercial benefit. We
Bedbrook - DuPont Crop Protection; Gyles Brandreth
believe gene shuffling technology will enable unprecedented
efficacy, a broad spectrum of effects and functionality in a wide
range of crops for growers around the world in the coming
decades.
We greatly appreciate this award given by Agrow and thank the
panel for this industry recognition.
www.agrowawards.com 11
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