BASF is seeking service providers capable of maintaining relevant cutworm species under controlled conditions and, where available, conducting greenhouse or field testing to evaluate crop resistance.

Background

Cutworms can be severe pests affecting field crops and causing economic damage by chewing through stems at or just below the soil surface, resulting in stand loss in crops like wheat, corn, soybean, cotton, canola, and vegetables. Genetic solutions exist, but testing cutworms requires appropriate skills and involves having an efficient system to rear cutworms and to test the possible resistance of plants to them.

What we're looking for

We are seeking to outsource cutworm rearing and possible plant testing to an experienced service provider with demonstrated expertise in controlled-environment cutworm rearing and potentially greenhouse and field capabilities for plant cultivation.

Topics of interest

Cutworm rearing under controlled conditions
Shipment of cutworms to greenhouse or field-testing locations
Plant (regular field crops) testing capabilities, in greenhouse and/or field

Required qualifications

Staff with experience in cutworm rearing and plant testing
Experience in rearing at least one of the following cutworm species: variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), red backed cutworm (Euxoa ochrogaster), western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta), pale western cutworm (Agrotis orthogonia), army cutworm (Euxoa auxiliaris), or dingy cutworms
Targeted geographies are North and South America, as well as Europe

Nice-to-have

We're open to experts who have experience with:

Shipment system in place to ship the specimens to France, Belgium, USA, Canada and/or Brazil
High-quality data management, statistical expertise, sharing raw and analyzed data, regular reporting and proper management of confidentiality
GMO permit available or willingness to obtain the necessary permits for transgenic field crop cultivation, as required by local regulations
Adherence to ETS stewardship guidelines (Excellence Through Stewardship: Best Practices in Agricultural Technology) and agreement to undergo BASF audits
On-site seed processing (cleaning, drying, packaging) and quarantine management
Cutworm field testing

What's out of scope

Non-cutworm Lepidoptera

Expert location

Accepting applications from experts based in all countries

What we can offer you

Compensation

Compensation based on successful production of a defined quantity of cutworm and testing per plant event and per growth cycle, including facility and labor costs.

Tools and Technologies

We will provide plant material to be tested for cutworms.

Expertise

Partners will have access to a technical lead familiar with the genetic background of each line, who will provide guidance on best growth conditions and testing timing. Partners will receive onboarding support from our internal plant cultivation team to align the protocol, as needed.

Compounds and Reagents

Partners will receive starting seed or plant material for each crop and all relevant technical protocols.

Data

We will provide appropriate information regarding the plant or seed that must be tested for cutworm.

Facilities and Services

We will audit the partner facilities to provide guidance.

Q&A with BASF

The Q&A is now closed.

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Eligible partners

Academic researchersStartupsSuppliersService providers (CROs/CMOs)

Seeking partners focused on

Agricultural EngineeringAgricultural ScienceAgronomyBiosystemsBotanyCrop Cultivation and HarvestingEcological Population DynamicsEcologyEntomologyMicrobiology

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