New ‘triple trait’ canola gives Australian growers extra flexibility and strong yields

• BASF’s latest breakthrough triple trait variety InVigor® LR 4540P contains TruFlex®, PodGuard® and LibertyLink®
  
• National Variety Trial (NVT) results place InVigor LR 4540P at the top of TruFlex varieties for outstanding yield potential
• InVigor LR 4540P sets a new standard for weed control and harvest flexibility

Melbourne, Australia – August 29, 2023 – True flexibility has arrived with the addition of BASF’s best canola variety yet, InVigor LR 4540P, providing growers with their first opportunity to sow a ‘triple trait’ TruFlex variety. InVigor LR 4540P joins InVigor LT 4530P (launched in 2021) as the only varieties bred with three different trait technologies. Both varieties contain the LibertyLink and PodGuard traits - which are exclusive to InVigor hybrids - however the new InVigor LR 4540P also contains the TruFlex trait, making it an appealing variety to wide range of growers.

“We’re very excited to be able to offer growers Australia’s first triple trait TruFlex variety,” said Gavin Heard, Head of BASF Seeds and Traits, Australia and New Zealand. Last year’s National Variety Trials (NVT) results, placed InVigor LR 4540P amongst the top of the TruFlex varieties, emerging as one of the strongest performers in the low to medium rainfall environments with plenty of upside, as well as being number one for harvest flexibility and a standout for weed control. InVigor LR 4540P is also an excellent performer in medium to high rainfall areas.

InVigor LR 4540P includes BASF’s unique PodGuard trait, providing a much higher level of shatter-tolerance than traditional breeding programs can achieve. The superior PodGuard protection and compact plant height allows growers greater harvest timing flexibility and reduces harvest yield loss.

“Growers now have the opportunity to introduce Liberty Herbicide on top of their TruFlex spray program. InVigor LR 4540P provides a valuable opportunity to introduce a new mode of action, not previously used in broadacre cropping, into their canola program. This will give more flexibility than any other variety on the market and further improve control of certain weeds. In particular, those which have developed resistance to other herbicides, such as annual ryegrass,” Heard said.

InVigor LR 4540P is scheduled for commercial release in time for the 2024 cropping season. If trial results are an indication, this would suggest it will be in high demand as it offers growers excellent yield potential and greater flexibility throughout the season. The TruFlex and LibertyLink traits are produced by genetic modification, so InVigor LR 4540P canola will be classified as GM and subject to the same management requirements as other LibertyLink and TruFlex crops.

For more information, please visit crop-solutions.basf.com.au/

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population while reducing environmental impacts. Working with partners and agricultural experts and by integrating sustainability criteria into all business decisions, we help farmers to create a positive impact on sustainable agriculture. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline, connecting innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our portfolio comprises seeds and specifically selected plant traits, chemical and biological crop protection, solutions for soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we strive to find the right balance for success – for farmers, agriculture and future generations. In 2022, our division generated sales of €10.3 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

About BASF in Australia and New Zealand

BASF serves key industries in the agriculture, coatings, manufacturing and mining sectors, and posted sales of about €492 million in Australia and New Zealand in 2022. As of the end of 2022, the company had 374 employees and operated 6 production sites across Agricultural Solutions, performance products and functional materials and solutions. BASF has been active in Australia for over 100 years, and about 60 years in New Zealand. Further information is available on www.basf.com/au and http://www.basf.com/nz

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 111,000 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 €87.3 billion in 2022. 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