Moa Technology discovers new amplifier weed control category

Moa Technology has announced the discovery of new chemistries that could create an entirely new category of weed control products, with potential to reduce the amount of herbicides farmers need to use.

The company said its scientists identified “amplifier” molecules that are not herbicidal on their own but may increase the effectiveness of existing herbicides. Pilot field trials are underway in Australia, targeting annual ryegrass, and in the United Kingdom, where glyphosate resistance was recently confirmed in Italian ryegrass.

The discovery comes as growers face mounting challenges from resistant weeds and rising control costs. Weeds are estimated to cost Australian grain producers A$3.3 billion annually in yield losses and management expenses, according to Weedsmart.

Moa Technology CEO Virginia Corless in the company’s glasshouse research facility in North Yorkshire, England. Photo by Gary Brown.

Moa also announced a partnership with Gowan Co., a U.S.-based agricultural business, to co-develop one of the new amplifiers for a specific active ingredient. The agreement includes upfront and milestone payments along with royalties.

“We are excited to discover this entirely new category of weed control solutions to help solve a real and immediate problem for farmers and the environment globally,” said Virginia Corless, CEO of Moa.

Moa said amplifiers could also create opportunities for biological-synthetic hybrid products, opening new pathways for bioherbicides to play a larger role in weed management.