Bayer Crop Science AG has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Canada-based Performance Plants Inc. for the later's Yield Protection Technology (YPT). The YPT technology has been conducted in canola which has been successfully field tested to be highly effective in preserving yields under conditions of drought stress. YPT canola has consistently produced seed yield increases of up to 26 percent in five years of field trials.

The present licensing agreement will cover the development and commercialization of trough tolerant cotton using the YPT Technology. Dr. Linda Trolinder, Global Cotton R&D Manager at BioScience, a business operations unit of Bayer CropScience, welcomes this business relationship with Performance Plants. She anticipates that Performance Plants' innovative YPT will contribute to further strengthen the company's leadership in the global cotton market, especially with regard to ensuring higher yields in difficult climatic conditions. Peter Matthewman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Performance Plants said that, "This agreement is a further validation of the commercial potential of our traits."

For details, see the press release at:
http://www.bayercropscience.com/bcsweb/cropprotection.nsf/id/EN_20090901_2?open&l=EN&ccm=500020.