Syngenta invests to research sugarcane in Brazil
Gazeta Mercantil 03/23/2009
The multinational Syngenta invests US$ 1 billion every year in research and technology, and this year at least 10% of that amount, or US$ 100 million, will be invested in research for the sugarcane. "Several technologies for the use of sugarcane are already being developed in our laboratories. We are now searching for specialized institutes to enter into partnerships", affirms Ian Jepson, Head of the sugarcane area of Syndgenta. Brazil is the world leader in the production of sugarcane, with a participation of nearly one third of the world market, distantly followed by India and China. The average productivity of the Brazilian crops achieves, currently, 80 tons per hectare. If the studies made by Syngenta produce effects, the amount of sugarcane harvested in the same area can jump to 240 tons, calculates the PhD Ian Jepson.
Still outside the sugarcane cell, Syngenta can offer producers a reduction of 15% in the costs with the planting, besides the increase of productivity in another 15%. The technology under consideration substitutes the traditional planting method, with matrices from 30 to 40 centimeters, by seedlings with less than four centimeters of length. They receive applications of seed treatments to improve the development in the first stages. The method optimizes the replanting of sugarcane. Other bet of the company is the feasibility of the second generation of biofuels from the organic residues, the bagasse. Once the genetic path to be followed is revealed, Syngenta will dedicate itself to the transgenic production of the sugarcane in order to control the pests that attack the crops, increase of productivity, exceed the barrier of 13% of concentration of sugar, reduce the application of nitrogen-based fertilizers and also originate a variety that can resist the dry season.