These trials specifically revealed exceptional control of blackgrass in winter wheat paired with outstanding crop safety, the company said. Earlier trials in other regions of the world have already shown success against a range of other problematic grass weeds.
As stricter environmental and safety standards reduce the availability of conventional herbicides, growers face fewer options for managing persistent weeds that significantly reduce crop yields, the company notes.
Herbicide resistance is one of agriculture’s most urgent and costly challenges – threatening yields, narrowing farmers’ options, and exposing the limits of today’s crop protection toolbox. As pressure builds, the industry is searching for new approaches that can keep up with fast-evolving threats.
Enko describes its next generation graminicides as safe and sustainable potential replacements for older products that address the evolving needs of both growers and regulators.
The European field trials were conducted across the United Kingdom and France, where herbicide-resistant blackgrass is known to cause crop yield losses of up to 70% in severe cases. Enko’s innovative chemistry demonstrated superior performance compared to existing commercial standards.
Prior to Europe, Enko’s North American spring trials demonstrated efficacy against other problematic warm-season grasses including crabgrass, giant foxtail, and goosegrass, while Australian tests addressed the growing threat of resistant annual ryegrass. The European results build upon this foundation of success across diverse geographies and weed species.
‘Environmentally responsible chemistry’
“Our product candidates integrate seamlessly into existing cereal crop systems and deliver industry-leading control of resistant grass species,” said Enko CEO Tony Klemm.
“Growers urgently need new, effective, and environmentally responsible chemistry. This graminicide portfolio is proof that a smarter discovery model delivers solutions – addressing key challenges like blackgrass resistance while advancing safe, sustainable agriculture.”
Enko was founded with a mission to address the growing global challenge of resistance, it added. Farmers are losing yield and running out of effective tools as weeds, pests, and diseases adapt faster than current solutions can keep up. These field trials are the latest validation that AI-powered discovery can close that gap by bringing new products to market with better precision and performance.
With development efforts reaching key benchmarks, Enko is actively collaborating with multiple industry partners to accelerate the global commercialisation of its products.
