EPA-approved Verpixo Fungicide aims to address growing resistance challenges in Cercospora Leaf Spot
In a significant advancement for crop protection science and sustainable agriculture, Corteva Agriscience has announced the launch of Verpixo fungicide, powered by Adavelt active, a next-generation disease control solution designed to combat Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), one of the most economically damaging fungal threats to U.S. sugarbeet production.
Approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and available beginning in the 2026 growing season, Verpixo introduces a new Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) Group 21 mode of action, providing growers with a novel tool to strengthen disease control strategies and improve resistance management in increasingly challenging agronomic conditions.
Cercospora leaf spot, characterized by its distinctive brown lesions on foliage, significantly reduces a sugarbeet plant’s ability to photosynthesize, directly impacting sugar accumulation and root yield. In severe outbreaks, the disease has been associated with yield losses of up to 30 percent, with estimated economic impacts exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars annually across the U.S. sugarbeet industry.
Verpixo fungicide with Adavelt active is derived from a naturally occurring compound found in soil bacteria, reflecting a broader industry shift toward biologically inspired crop protection solutions. Its translaminar activity enables effective control across both leaf surfaces, disrupting fungal germination and providing broad-spectrum disease suppression.
“With Cercospora leaf spot continuing to be one of the most destructive foliar diseases in sugarbeet production, growers urgently need new tools with novel modes of action,” said Colleen Kent. “Extensive testing confirms Verpixo delivers strong efficacy while offering flexibility in application timing and resistance management programs.”
Experts emphasize that resistance pressure has steadily reduced the effectiveness of existing fungicides and even some genetic tolerance traits, making the introduction of a new mode of action particularly significant for long-term disease control strategies.
Research agronomists note that the polycyclic nature of Cercospora leaf spot — capable of producing multiple infection cycles within a single growing season — requires continuous and adaptive in-season management. Verpixo is designed to support this need by offering application flexibility and compatibility with integrated pest management systems.
According to field researchers including David Mettler, sustained resistance management is essential as repeated exposure to existing chemistries has made disease control increasingly complex across diverse growing environments.
Beyond its agronomic performance, Verpixo™ is also positioned as an environmentally conscious solution, supporting integrated pest management approaches that aim to preserve beneficial insect populations and maintain ecological balance in agricultural systems.
As sugarbeet producers confront rising disease pressure, evolving resistance challenges, and increasing demand for yield stability, Verpixo™ represents a new generation of precision fungicide innovation — one that blends biological origins, modern chemistry, and adaptive field performance.
With its debut in the 2026 season, the product is expected to become a cornerstone in resistance management programs, offering growers a new line of defense in safeguarding both crop quality and long-term agricultural productivity.
