Vive Crop Protection launches Bifender SM to expand in-season insect control for corn

Vive Crop Protection has introduced Bifender SM, a soil-applied insecticide designed to give corn growers greater flexibility in managing soil-dwelling pests throughout the growing season. The product, launched April 1, is designed for in-season application via chemigation systems, including drip, pivot, and overhead irrigation, offering an alternative when conditions at planting limit the use or effectiveness of traditional treatments.

Bifender SM is built on the company’s Soil Mobile platform, which enables the active ingredient bifenthrin to move deeper into the soil profile with water before stabilizing as the soil dries. This approach contrasts with conventional soil insecticides that typically remain near the surface, and is intended to improve alignment between insecticide placement and pest feeding activity. According to field trial data cited by the company, in-season applications have reduced corn rootworm damage, particularly when used alongside at-plant treatments such as Bifender FC.

The product is compatible with existing irrigation infrastructure, positioning it for adoption by large-scale growers and operations without in-furrow application equipment. Bifender SM is currently registered for use in corn and a range of row and specialty crops, as Vive continues to expand its portfolio of crop input technologies focused on improving application efficiency and performance.