New Sphaerex™ fungicide from BASF designed to help wheat growers reduce the damages from DON

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., August 3, 2021 – Both quantity and quality of grain impact wheat growers’ bottom line, and the fungus that creates head scab and deoxynivalenol (DON) puts both at risk. BASF has combined the power of two active ingredients and introduced the new Sphaerex^™ fungicide to help growers control head scab and reduce the impacts of DON better than any other wheat fungicide on the market. Recently registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Sphaerex is available for the 2022 growing season.

“DON reduces the value of your wheat crop by negatively impacting grain quality,” said Ken Deibert, Technical Field Representative for BASF Agricultural Solutions. “And with head scab treated acres up 45 percent since 2013, it’s not if you’ll come in contact with it, but when.”

Fusarium head blight, also known as head scab, is the most destructive wheat disease growers face, significantly reducing yield potential. The fungus that causes head scab also produces vomitoxin, specifically DON. During infection, DON can accumulate at high levels in the harvested grain. Its presence may result in a significant price reduction, even rejection, at the grain elevator and could impact the health of livestock if consumed.

Sphaerex™ fungicide brings together two trusted active ingredients, metconazole and prothioconazole, to defeat head scab and reduce DON. 

“Growers work too hard to let DON get the best of their wheat,” said Logan Grier, Marketing Manager, Wheat Crop Protection for BASF Agricultural Solutions. “Sphaerex™ fungicide can give growers peace of mind that they’re getting the best head scab control and DON reduction to preserve the yield potential and quality of their wheat.” 

Sphaerex™ fungicide is the latest addition to BASF’s robust seed treatment and crop protection portfolio offering wheat growers superior protection against weeds, insects, and diseases.

To learn more about Sphaerex™ fungicide, contact your local BASF representative or visit http://www.Super-Sphaerex.com.

Always read and follow label directions. Sphaerex™ is a trademark of BASF. © 2021 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.

With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2020, our division generated sales of €7.7 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 17,000 employees in North America and had sales of $18.7 billion in 2020. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 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 is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.