b'TURF AND FORAGEGrass Products with Add-ons!CHRISTIAN S. JENSENHead of BiotechDLFIt is hard to grasp the immense speedfor money for the end-user through dec- evaluation today and are unlikely willing by which apps on our mobile phones areades. But what do we do when suddenlyto do so for the simple reason that when updated with additional convenient fea- drought stress becomes emergent for ourcrops are tested at suboptimal condi-tures. Build out of an innovative thoughtcustomers, or when new diseases arise intions the signal/noise ratio drops dra-or a customer-expressed need, theseresponse to climatic changes? Even in thematically and trial results are rendered add-ons are rolled out to us almost daily.most optimistic scenario, we are talkinginsignificant. This is a pickle! With no Sometimes I wish we could do the same8-10 years to accomplish breeding for anrewards in the evaluation system there with all our grass-based solutions both inupgrade official evaluation startup of seedis no incitement for a breeder to change response to the rapidly changing climateproduction. breeding objectives as it would compro-conditions and to the innovative ideasThe most frequently used approachmise the chance of reaching the top of that frequently spin out of a dedicatedis to screen an existing variety portfo- the recommended list.breeders mind. Fully aware that productlio for traits that are considered to be aBut we cannot wait and as we pre-upgrade times for grass varieties are notneeded product add-on. This is for exam- viously have described, DLF and other counted on a daily-, rather a yearly basis,ple the case for a salt tolerance screeningbreeding companies have started screen-let us have a look at what the options arethat DLF applies to all new turf varietiesing not only varieties but also breeding for bringing new features to the marketbecause it is not part of the official eval- material for deeper roots and drought in our business. uation system in any country in Europe. tolerance at their own expense and at The official variety evaluation systemOther add-ons, such as droughttheir own risk. We are compelled to do so we have in Europe dictates to a largetolerance, which is most-wanted due torealizing that climate change may dictate extent what type of product upgradesa fast-changing climate, are creatingadd-ons more important than the current (plant traits) the breeders need to focusquite some headache for breeding com- system can offer today. Any others who all their efforts on to be successful. This ispanies. None of the European officialwant to join our endeavor?a great foundation that has secured valuetesting systems include this trait in their SEED APPLIED TECHNOLOGIESCORN, SORGHUM AND OILSEEDS How Space Research is Helping Farmers on the GroundHow to Sustainably Control Downy Mildew in Sunflower ANDRE NEGREIROSSeed Applied TechnologiesLeadCortevaMAXIME MENVIELLEMarket Development Manager SunflowerLideaOur climate is changing, there is no doubtregulatory demand towards lower quan- ronments to life and is now providing about that. And this is causing two things.tity and less toxicity. I am happy to saysuch great benefits to plants on earth.On the one side there is an increased abi- that most of our portfolio is composedThis solution brings a whole bunch otic stress with more extreme swings inof new active ingredients that are per- of benefits to crop establishment such temperature, drought, and excess pre- fectly suited to that shift in demand. Weas visible early stage effects on germina-cipitation. And on the other hand, we seeare offering products with lower usagetion, plant root development and young that farmers are being confronted withrates, lower environment impact, veryplants strength/height, all leading to pests and diseases that until now weresafe to farmers, to seed treatment oper- potential higher yields. Just to give you not particularly important, but due toators and to beneficials (microorganismsa recent example: early on in 2020, sev-the changing climate are on the rise, andor non-target insects). Besides that, oureral fields were affected by an unusual require a different solution company is investing massively on bring- very cold spring (early frost), and there So, for us in the seed sector, thating biological offers to be able to assistit was easier to observe plants treated means that we will need to be able toour customers in all their needs. with our product as the seeds were ger-deliver products that can better cope withOne of the products that I am reallyminating faster and recovering quicker that. Seed companies will need to shiftexcited about is LUMIDAPT. This is afrom the stress versus untreated plants. gear and start offering something thatnew type of organic mineral fertilizerIn 2020 over 5 million hectares of hybrid can help crops and therefore farmers. Notengineered to enhance plants metaboliccrops with this brand-new growth nutri-only a need for better genetics, but also aactivity, physiology, and stress durabil- tion seed treatment was grown, and our need for better seed applied technologiesity in a proactive manner. Did you knowgoal for 2021 is to reach over 10 million (SATs) that are giving plants a competi- that it was developed in space? Amazinghectares with this solution. It is quickly tive advantage. to realize that this product comes frombecoming the new standard for hybrid At the same time, there is a differentresearch in one of the most hostile envi- crop establishment.EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 19'