拜耳推出了首个杂交水稻种子 Arize AZ 8433 DT，它对褐飞虱 (BPH) 和细菌性叶枯病 (BLB) 具有很强的内在耐受性。 BPH 是印度水稻种植区最具破坏性的害虫，在 2017 年的哈里夫季节给农民造成了巨大损失。
“Though there are many chemical solutions available to control BPH, these have not been able to control the insect effectively in cases of medium to heavy infestation. The usual practice is to spray when the insect build-up has already happened. As an alternative approach, Bayer has developed hybrid seeds, where pest tolerance has been achieved in the seed through innovative technologies based on marker-assisted breeding. The result is Arize AZ 8433 DT,” a company release stated.