Novozymes’ purchase of EMD/Merck Crop BioScience, announced last December, was completed in early February. Novozymes bought EMD/Merck to add to its agricultural biologicals business. Novozymes, a $1.6 billion company, purchased EMD/Merck for $275 million, according to EMD. EMD/Merck has been in the inoculant business for more than 100 years.

EMD Crop BioScience introduces a new foliar product called Ratchet for corn and soybeans that uses the company’s LCO Promoter Technology. The LCO signal molecule provides an increase in photosynthesis and sugar production, which in turn helps the crop grow to full potential. EMD says field trials show Ratchet delivering an average yield boost of 4 to 5 bu./acre in corn and 1 to 2 bu./acre in soybeans.

The product is compatible with postemergent applications, including glyphosate. It is sold in packages of two 2½-gal. jugs. Each jug covers 80 acres at an application rate of 4 oz./acre. For more information, visit www.emdcropbioscience.com.