DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. announced Monday that it has received regulatory approval of a new corn hybrid trait that combines two insect protection products already on the market.

The new product, called Herculex XTRA Insect Protection, will be available to growers in the United States for the 2006 planting season, the company said in a news release.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently registered the product, developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC and Des Moines-based Pioneer, the release said.

It combines the traits of the Herculex I Insect Protection - which protects the corn plant against European and southwestern corn borer, western bean cutworm, black cutworm and fall armyworm - with the Herculex RW Rootworm Protection - which protects the plant against western, northern and Mexican corn rootworm.

The company said the new product provides protection against a broader range of insects than others on the market.

"Herculex XTRA offers the most complete defense against damaging insects available to growers today and gives producers another valuable tool to help increase corn yields and enhance grain quality," said Dean Oestreich, president of Pioneer.

The company said the Herculex XTRA traits will be available in hybrids from Pioneer, Mycogen Seeds and Beck's Superior Hybrids Inc.