Q: What is igrowth®?
A: igrowth is the first commercially available herbicide-tolerant innovation for grain sorghum. When paired with IMIFLEX™ herbicide, the non-GMO technology allows for pre-emergent or post-emergent control of broadleaf and grass weeds without causing damage to the crop, helping growers improve crop production and achieve better returns on their investments.
Q: Is igrowth the first herbicide-tolerant technology for sorghum?
A: Yes. Advanta Seeds was the first to discover the technology in 2007 and since then has introduced igrowth in Argentina and Australia. Now, the company, through its premium seed brand Alta Seeds, is the first to commercialize herbicide-tolerant sorghum in the United States.
Q: What herbicide can be applied on igrowth sorghum fields?
A: A companion herbicide from UPL called IMIFLEX is expected to receive registration from the EPA later this year. It will be the only herbicide registered for use with igrowth.
Q: What is IMIFLEX?
A: IMIFLEX contains imazamox, a Group 2 class of herbicide in the imidazolinone (IMI) family. Research trials show this class of chemistry provides effective residual control of yield-robbing weeds in pre- or post-emergent applications. IMIFLEX herbicide received EPA approval in December 2020.
Q: What weeds does IMIFLEX control?
A: IMIFLEX will be registered as a broad-spectrum herbicide for control of grassy, broadleaf and sedge weeds in sorghum. Trial data shows IMIFLEX provides excellent control of broadleaf weeds such as lambsquarters, pigweed and velvetleaf weed species; hard-to-kill grassy weeds including seedling johnsongrass, shattercane, ryegrass, barnyardgrass, foxtail and Texas panicum; and sedges such as purple and yellow nutsedge.
Q: When will igrowth be available for purchase?
A: Growers can preorder seed as of July 8, 2020, for planting the 2021 crop. Alta Seeds will deliver igrowth purchases to growers upon EPA approval of IMIFLEX, which is expected by the end of 2020.
Q: Do you recommend tank-mix partners with IMIFLEX?
A: Field trials show IMIFLEX can be tank-mixed with other herbicides, which helps lessen the dependence on a single active ingredient for effective weed control. More information will be provided on the product label once registration is complete.
Q: Will there be a stewardship program?
A: Growers wanting to purchase igrowth seed will need to register and sign the igrowth WEED CONTROL SORGHUM GROWER AGREEMENT at AgCelerate.com. Alta Seeds will provide registered igrowth users with additional stewardship documents in the future.
Q: Are there regions or situations where igrowth has a particularly good fit?
A: igrowth hybrids are well adapted to the broad U.S. sorghum growing areas to provide flexibility for growers. The initial four igrowth varieties offer weed control benefits that will appeal to growers of both high- and low-input acres. Additional hybrids are in development.
Q: Is igrowth a GMO?
A: No. There was no insertion of DNA from other species or plants into the sorghum genome. Igrowth was a naturally occurring tolerance found by genetic screening of many germplasm lines. Igrowth has global market acceptance.
Q: What is the relationship between Alta, Advanta and UPL?
A: Alta Seeds is the premium brand of Advanta US, which is a division of UPL.
Q: Who is Alta Seeds?
A: Alta Seeds is a premium seed brand of Advanta US, a division of UPL. The company has a diverse and active R&D pipeline — the most active in the industry — making it the leader in providing premium genetics with traits and technology to drive growth in the sorghum industry. Alta Seeds provides farmers with high-quality hybrids of grain sorghum and sorghum for forage bred from the proprietary genetics of Advanta Seeds.
Q: Who is Advanta Seeds?
A: Advanta Seeds is a global seed business with operations on six continents and sales in 40 countries. Advanta Seeds combines proprietary crop genetics and plant breeding capabilities with biotechnology to produce high-quality seed products and solutions for its customers around the world. Advanta is a member of the UPL group of companies.
Q: Who is UPL?
A: UPL is a leader in global food systems and one of the top five agricultural solutions companies in the world. UPL offers an integrated portfolio of both patented and post-patent agricultural solutions, including biological, crop protection, seed treatment and post-harvest solutions covering the entire crop value chain.
igrowth is a trademark of Advanta Seeds® DMCC, a UPL group company.
IMIFLEX is a trademark of a UPL Corporation Limited Group Company
