Syngenta Crop Protection has reached a groundbreaking milestone in its collaboration with Enko, a leader in AI-driven crop health innovation, aimed at revolutionizing weed control solutions. This partnership has successfully leveraged Enko’s advanced ENKOMPASS™ platform to discover new herbicide molecules targeting a novel mode of action (MoA), advancing the fight against resistant weeds. The ENKOMPASS platform is a cutting-edge approach that accelerates discovery timelines and reduces R&D costs, distinguishing it from traditional agricultural research methods.
The Need for Innovation in Weed Control
Weeds such as Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, and resilient grass species like blackgrass and Italian ryegrass pose significant challenges to global agriculture. These aggressive species are responsible for crop losses estimated at $32 billion annually. As resistance to existing herbicides grows, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches to ensure sustainable food production. The discovery of new MoAs is critical, as it introduces alternative weed control mechanisms that complement existing strategies like crop rotation and manual weeding.
Syngenta’s “Safer by Design” Strategy
This collaboration aligns with Syngenta’s “Safer by Design” research initiative, which emphasizes sustainability and safety in developing crop protection technologies. The primary goal is to create herbicides that enhance crop yields while minimizing environmental impact. The newly discovered molecules target a plant-specific MoA and have the potential to manage a broad spectrum of weeds across vital cropping systems globally.
Milestone Achievement
The partnership between Syngenta and Enko has progressed to a proof-of-concept phase, marking significant advancements in the development of these innovative herbicides. This milestone builds on their earlier success in fungal control research and expands the scope of their alliance to address herbicide resistance.
Camilla Corsi, Head of Research at Syngenta Crop Protection, highlighted the importance of this achievement, describing it as a pivotal development in agricultural technology. “This novel solution represents a critical tool for resistance management, enabling us to deliver sustainable benefits to farmers worldwide,” she said.
Jacqueline Heard, CEO and Co-founder of Enko, emphasized the urgency of addressing crop threats in the context of growing global populations and climate adaptation. “Using our ENKOMPASS platform, we can rapidly bring safe and effective crop protection solutions to farmers, helping them meet these challenges head-on,” she stated.
Broader Implications
The innovative approach demonstrated in this collaboration reflects a shift in the agricultural industry towards integrating advanced technologies, such as AI, with traditional research methods. By addressing both current and future weed resistance challenges, the Syngenta-Enko partnership is set to significantly contribute to global food security and sustainable agriculture practices.
About Syngenta
Syngenta is a global leader in agricultural innovation, operating in over 100 countries. The company focuses on advancing technologies and practices that enable farmers to meet the growing demand for food sustainably. Guided by its Sustainability Priorities, Syngenta develops solutions that enhance crop yields, soil health, and environmental stewardship.
About Enko
Enko, established in 2017, applies pharmaceutical-level discovery techniques to agriculture, addressing critical challenges like pest resistance and emerging crop diseases. Backed by prominent investors, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Enko is pioneering a new era of sustainable agricultural solutions from its headquarters in Mystic, Connecticut.
