BASF, a leading global chemical company, announced today that it has submitted registrations for Prexio Active, a new insecticide active ingredient, in key Asia Pacific markets, including India. Prexio-based products are expected to launch in the second quarter of 2025 in India during the Kharif rice growing season.

Prexio Active is a novel insecticide that has been specifically designed to control all four major rice hopper species: brown planthoppers, white-backed planthoppers, small brown planthoppers, and rice green leafhoppers. These pests can cause significant damage to rice crops, leading to yield losses and reduced grain quality.

In addition to its excellent efficacy against rice hoppers, Prexio Active also offers several other benefits to rice growers. It has a long residual activity, which means that it can provide extended control of pests with fewer applications. It is also safe for beneficial insects, such as bees and ladybugs, which help to control other pests in rice fields.

Prexio, a novel mesoionic molecule, disrupts insect neurotransmission by targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Classified as a Group 4E insecticide by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC), Prexio causes paralysis and cessation of feeding in target pests. Its unique mode of action prevents nerve stimulation, offering effective pest control distinct from insecticides that induce hyperexcitation.

It has a unique mode of action that is different from other insecticides on the market. This makes it an effective tool for managing insecticide resistance, which is a growing problem in many rice-growing regions. This new active ingredient, with a Group 4E classification from IRAC, has no known cross-resistance to other market standards.

“Rice growers in Asia are looking for advanced solutions that provide both powerful and sustainable control of damaging rice hoppers, amidst growing insecticide resistance and an increasing global demand for rice,” said Harold Bastiaans, Vice President Global Insecticide Research and Seed Solutions at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “With Prexio we continue to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to provide growers with cutting-edge innovations to safeguard their crops while at the same time being highly compatible with beneficials and the environment when applied according to label instructions.”

BASF is a leading provider of crop protection products to the Indian market. The company offers a wide range of products to control pests, diseases, and weeds in various crops. Prexio Active is the latest addition to BASF’s portfolio of innovative solutions for Indian agriculture.