By The Evolution of Corn Rootworm Control and Force® Insecticide
01.28.14
- Corn insect control requires proactive management
- To manage corn rootworms effectively, farmers can implement multiple strategies that best fit their fields
- Force insecticide, including its use on rootworm-traited corn, is a proven solution
GREENSBORO, N.C., USA - Corn insect control is a moving target, and sometimes the answers aren't as simple as they might seem. In recent years, unpredictable weather, increased pest pressure and unexpected damage in rootworm-traited corn have confounded corn insect control strategies. Although corn rootworm management has evolved over time, one constant in the fight for over 25 years is Force® insecticide.
"Corn rootworm has been a challenge for corn growers since the late 1950s," said Chuck Foresman, Syngenta global corn crop protection R&D lead. "And since its introduction in the late 1980s, Force has provided farmers with control of corn rootworm and other pests, resulting in reduced lodging, faster and easier harvests, and higher yields."
Looking Ahead
As farmers plan for the 2014 growing season, Syngenta recommends the following strategies for corn insect control in areas where corn rootworm is expected to be a problem:
Taking a multi-year, whole-farm approach
Rotating to a non-host crop, where that is an option
Integrating multiple measures of control
Using corn hybrid stacks with two corn rootworm traits
Applying a soil insecticide or seed treatment
"Corn rootworm control is not one-size-fits-all," Foresman said. "Rotation to a non-host crop is the first option for farmers seeking to break the corn rootworm cycle. Effective corn rootworm management will require a multi-year plan, incorporating the integration of multiple control measures, not merely employing a single technology. Understanding the complexity of corn rootworm will help farmers choose the right approach for their farm."
Force Insecticide Team: The People Behind the Progress
Foresman has been part of a select group at Syngenta who have worked with Force insecticide since its inception. In the summer of 1980, he spent time digging up corn roots to test the efficacy of Force insecticide as a pre-registration compound. "It's been a very robust compound, and after nearly three decades, Force remains an effective tool for corn insect control," he said. "We're very pleased it's a product growers continue to rely on."
Foresman and his colleagues have seen Force evolve from a new control option to a trusted resource, especially now through its use on rootworm-traited hybrids. When applied to hybrids that contain a single mode of action against corn rootworm, for example, Force can help increase corn yields by an average of 10 bushels per acre.
Dave Thomas, Syngenta senior R&D scientist, helped commercialize Force by providing in-house, contract and university technical support for the insecticide. "It was more user-friendly than the older products that were on the market," Thomas said, adding that farmers also like the fact that Force controls secondary pests, such as cutworm, wireworm and white grub.
Today, Force comes in both liquid and granular formulations. Force 3G is a proven and reliable granular soil-applied insecticide that offers industry-leading control of the toughest corn pests. Force CS liquid soil-applied insecticide offers the same performance as Force 3G but with added convenience, a lower use rate and reduced product exposure.
Craig Nichols, Syngenta senior R&D scientist, also has been heavily involved in the development of Force over the past 20 years, from trial digs to data summary. He took part in developing Force 3G, testing Force on Bt traits and, most recently, testing Force CS. "As control challenges have emerged, farmers have found the need to attack corn rootworm with more than one mode of action," Nichols said, noting that the application of Force on trait can help farmers control corn rootworms, especially in areas with heavy corn rootworm pressure.
As a leader in corn insect control, Syngenta is working to help farmers develop multi-year, whole-farm solutions for corn rootworm and other yield-robbing pests by taking current and historical insect pressures into account. Led by its "people behind the progress," Syngenta is able to offer growers more tools to control corn rootworm than ever before, including Force, a product as useful for corn growers today as it was 25 years ago.
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 27,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers, we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment, and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us, please go to www.syngenta.com.
David Pinon
336-632-7504
david.pinon@syngenta.com
919-870-5718
ksanderman@gibbs-soell.com
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties including the "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract thereof.
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© 2014 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some crop protection products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Force 3G and Force CS are Restricted Use Pesticides. Force® and the Syngenta logo are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.
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