Herbicide resistance isn’t slowing down, and neither is the search for solutions. Viriterra Inc., a Raleigh, N.C.-based manufacturer, is entering the U.S. crop protection market with Perseus SC — a Group 15 herbicide offering farmers a new pyroxasulfone option and retailers a product that promises high performance in a compact package.
Jeff Tweedy, company president and general manager, says the new product offers broad-spectrum residual control or suppression of labeled annual grasses, sedges and broadleaf weeds, including Palmer amaranth, waterhemp and foxtail species.
The company received EPA registration for Perseus SC in May 2026 and expects to begin shipping product to its distribution partners this fall, Tweedy reports. The launch marks the first step in a broader product strategy for the company that includes additional herbicide premixes, fungicides and seed treatment combinations over the next several years.
“Perseus is the first of many products that we plan to bring to the U.S. market,” Tweedy says.
Some of the major U.S. branded herbicides already in the marketplace containing pyroxasulfone include Anthem Maxx, Fierce, Storen and Zidua.
Tweedy says Perseus SC can be used in preemergence or postemergence programs, depending on the intended application. Growers should follow the product label for approved crops, timings, rates and use restrictions.
The company also points to the formulation’s low use rate as a practical advantage for handling, storage and transportation.
Perseus SC is applied at rates of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 ounces per acre, according to Tweedy. The product is being packaged in 2.5-gallon containers, which the company says will allow retailers and growers to cover substantial acreage without handling the larger volumes often required by some other products.
“You don’t need bulk,” Tweedy says, noting the potential convenience for retailers managing inventory and growers handling crop protection products.
A Different Manufacturing Model
Viriterra is positioning itself as a vertically integrated manufacturer — a distinction Tweedy says sets the company apart from businesses that source products through multiple intermediaries.
“We actually own the assets,” he says. “When you’re working with Viriterra, you’re buying product that we manufacture.”
Import and shipping customs registries indicate that Viriterra works through partnerships in China, such as Shanghai Green Vision Import and Export, to bring its technical crop protection materials for Perseus SC to the U.S. market. Once in the U.S., the product is further developed for final formulation.
Tweedy says Viriterra operates three sites and employs more than 300 people across its manufacturing operations.
Specific to the U.S., Viriterra plans to rely on retailers and distributors to reach growers rather than building a large sales force of its own.
“We’re a small team, so we’re going to rely on our distribution partners to go to market,” Tweedy says.
Manufacturing Strategy Supports Product Pipeline
Viriterra’s longer-term strategy extends beyond its initial herbicide launch. The company has mapped out a multi-year pipeline intended to bring additional crop protection options to U.S. growers.
In 2027, Viriterra plans to explore introducing additional pyroxasulfone-based premixes. The company is targeting a first foliar fungicide and a seed treatment combination for 2028, followed by more herbicide premixes in 2029.
Additional foliar fungicides are under consideration for 2030 and 2031, Tweedy says.
The proposed timeline signals the company’s intention to build a portfolio rather than rely on a single product. The timing and availability of future products will depend on development and the necessary regulatory approvals.
Tweedy says the company expects to remain relatively small in its commercial structure while leaning on the knowledge and reach of its distribution network.
“We plan to be a significant player from a basic manufacturer to distribution in the U.S. market in the coming years,” he says.
To listen to an interview AgWired conducted with Jeff Tweedy, click here. Product information, the label, safety data sheet and selected field trial results are available at viriterrainc.com/perseus-sc.
