In a major scientific breakthrough poised to transform weed management in global agriculture, Syngenta has introduced a brand-new herbicide molecule named metproxybicyclone, designed specifically to combat the growing challenge of herbicide-resistant weeds.
Weeds remain one of the most formidable threats to agricultural productivity, competing with crops for essential resources such as sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. According to research by Savary (2019), these invasive species can cause up to 43% yield loss in key crops, with the damage being especially pronounced in regions already burdened by resistant weed populations.
With herbicide resistance now documented in over 75 countries and impacting more than 100 crops, the need for novel, effective weed control solutions has become urgent. Among the 273 identified resistant weed species, grass weeds alone account for around 40%, making them a high-priority target for innovation.
In response to this pressing issue, Syngenta a global leader in agricultural technology announced the development of metproxybicyclone, a completely new chemical subclass of herbicide that marks a significant advancement in the ACCase-inhibitor family. It is the first of its kind in nearly 20 years, following the company’s release of pinoxaden in 2006, which was itself a milestone in weed management.
Metproxybicyclone has now been formally recognized by both the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) and the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), signaling its official classification as a distinct chemical subclass a rarity in modern agrochemical development.
Camilla Corsi, Syngenta’s Global Head of Research and Development, stated, “We anticipated resistance emerging in high-risk agricultural regions like Argentina and Brazil, and we’ve been preparing a robust response. Metproxybicyclone is designed to help soybean and cotton farmers, particularly in these areas, manage the growing resistance problem effectively.”
Pending regulatory approval, Syngenta plans to launch the new herbicide in Argentina by 2026, where resistant weeds have increasingly hindered crop yields and farm profitability.
The herbicide was developed at Syngenta’s cutting-edge International Research Centre in Jealott’s Hill, United Kingdom, which has been central to the company’s efforts in chemical innovation. Using a combination of decades of experience in ACCase-inhibitor chemistry and modern computational modeling, scientists created a molecule capable of targeting grass weeds that have developed resistance to widely used products like glyphosate and clethodim.
What sets metproxybicyclone apart is not only its efficacy but also its alignment with Syngenta’s “Safer by Design” approach — a company-wide philosophy focused on developing agrochemicals that are effective yet environmentally responsible. The goal is to enhance agricultural productivity without compromising sustainability or farmer safety.
Metproxybicyclone joins Syngenta’s growing portfolio of advanced crop protection solutions, which already includes well-known innovations such as ADEPIDYN, PLINAZOLIN, and TYMIRIUM. These technologies, combined with a rising focus on biologicals and digital farming tools, are part of the company’s broader mission to help farmers meet the dual challenge of increasing food demand and climate uncertainty.
This latest development reinforces Syngenta’s role at the forefront of agricultural innovation, especially as the industry grapples with evolving weed resistance and the limits of existing herbicide chemistries. If successful, metproxybicyclone could represent a new era in precision weed management and offer much-needed relief to farmers facing mounting production pressures.
As global agriculture continues to evolve, products like metproxybicyclone will be critical in maintaining the delicate balance between productivity, sustainability, and resilience.
By
