Valent U.S.A. submitted applications for the registration of a new herbicide active ingredient Rapidicil (epyrifenacil) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). Rapidicil, the trademark name for epyrifenacil, was developed by Valent’s parent company, Sumitomo Chemical Co.

Rapidicil is a novel herbicide that is part of a pipeline of products to be submitted for registration in major markets within the next three years. It belongs to a class of compounds known as protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors and may be used to control broadleaf weeds and grasses.

“We are very excited to advance what will be an important new weed control tool for growers in North America,” said Joe Short, Herbicide Strategy Manager, Valent U.S.A. “Once approved, Rapidicil will provide growers a new herbicide with highly effective performance against a wide-range of broadleaf weeds and grasses in foliar applications.”

Field research has demonstrated that Rapidicil is a fast-acting herbicide that can be used for weed control in various crops including corn and soybeans. Rapidicil is also environmentally friendly, contributing to sustainable agriculture as it provides weed control before planting crops in no-till and reduced tillage systems, which can suppress carbon dioxide emissions as compared to conventional tillage practices.

In addition, Rapidicil is part of a global collaboration between Sumitomo Chemical and Bayer through which it may be used after planting for post-emergence control of tough weeds like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp in PPO-inhibitor tolerant crops currently in development by Bayer. Integrating both the knowledge of both companies, this collaboration will provide agricultural producers with effective next-generation solutions to meet their weed control challenges.

Pending regulatory approval, Valent anticipates market launch of Rapidicil-based products in the U.S. and Canada in the middle of this decade.