20/06/2026 03:57 - Economia
Campo de trigo en Argentina con agricultor examinando cultivos saludables demostrando control efectivo de malezas con tecnología Virestina de Syngenta
In a historic moment for South American agriculture, Syngenta hosted a field demonstration showcasing Authence, the world's first selective herbicide designed to control resistant grass weeds using the groundbreaking Virestina technology.
Pablo Mainez, from Syngenta's technical service team, emphasized: "This is a milestone that hasn't occurred in at least 30 years—the launch of a new graminicide from a new family that addresses a real problem farmers face: resistant weeds."
Argentina is one of the world's leading agricultural producers, known globally as a major exporter of wheat, soybeans, and corn. The country's vast Pampas region has made it a powerhouse in global food production.
However, resistant weeds—particularly those immune to glyphosate (the world's most widely used herbicide)—have become a significant challenge for Argentine farmers, causing substantial crop losses.
The molecule behind Authence was developed over ten years using advanced computational engineering. Scientists at Syngenta anticipated the resistance problem long before it became widespread.
Nicolás Spinelli from Syngenta demonstrated the product's effectiveness in field trials with Lolium (ryegrass) and wheat crops, showing how the new herbicide overcomes weed competition that traditional products cannot manage.
Argentina's selection as the first country to receive this technology underscores its importance in global agriculture. The nation faces severe challenges with resistant weeds, making it an ideal testing ground for this revolutionary solution.
The launch represents unprecedented access to cutting-edge technology for Argentine farmers, who now have a powerful new tool after three decades without innovation in this herbicide category.
Without a new herbicide of this type being launched globally
Of research using computational engineering
Of molecules developed for grass weed control
Graminicide: A type of herbicide specifically designed to control grass weeds (gramineae family).
Resistance: When weeds survive herbicide applications that would normally kill them, a growing problem worldwide.
Virestina technology: The innovative molecular platform developed by Syngenta for this new generation of herbicides.
Source: Agrofy News - June 18, 2026
Alfredo S. Quiroga
