Skip to main content

Syngenta US News

Agrisure Viptera® trait consistently demonstrates effective control of above-ground insects in 2016 field performance

  • Ear- and stalk-feeding insects destroy corn grain quality and yield
  • In-seed traits can protect valuable hybrids against damaging insects
  • Agrisure Viptera out-performs competitive traits year after year
MINNETONKA, Minn., U.S.A. – Across the Corn Belt this past season, hybrids containing the Agrisure Viptera® trait demonstrated effective control of above-ground insects in the wake of unexpected insect outbreaks. Corn growers who planted other hybrids were left with damaged ears and stalks that resulted in lower quality grain and diminished yields.

“Growers face tough decisions when selecting hybrids and trait technologies,” said Iris Tzafrir, commercial traits product lead, Syngenta. “Growers concerned about input costs may consider hybrids with little to no insect control, but they are taking a big gamble on the success of their crop. Choosing hybrids with insect control traits, such as Agrisure Viptera, can help defend a valuable seed investment against unpredictable pest pressure throughout the growing season.”

In 2016, the Agrisure Viptera trait protected hybrids from damaging outbreaks of Western bean cutworm and corn earworm, among others. Examples from the field showed that when compared side by side with competitive traits, Agrisure Viptera outperformed the rest, delivering better control of these destructive insects, which resulted in higher yield, higher quality grain and higher profit potential.

New Baden, Illinois, grower and Golden Harvest® Seed Advisor™, Mike Laux, experienced heavy corn earworm pressure in 2016, along with occurrences of cutworm and armyworm.

“The earworm pressure was very strong this year,” Laux said. “But everywhere we had hybrids with Agrisure Viptera, we kept the earworm out, which kept the ear molds out. Our grain quality from hybrids with Agrisure Viptera was phenomenal compared to hybrids without the trait.”

In Shelton, Nebraska, an outbreak of Western bean cutworm caused ear damage, and led to the development of harmful molds and mycotoxins that reduced grain quality. In this area, ears from hybrids with the Agrisure Viptera trait were noticeably healthier, with more kernels and no visible insect damage, when compared to hybrids without the Agrisure Viptera trait.



Further east in Columbia, Missouri, the Agrisure Viptera trait proved its effectiveness against corn earworm. In Syngenta trials, hybrids with the Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack were planted along with hybrids featuring competitive traits.

The trait stacks in the trial all control above-ground insects, and each plot was planted at the same time, using the same agronomic protocols and crop inputs. Each plot experienced corn earworm pressure, but only one emerged without damage. The hybrid with Agrisure Viptera withstood the corn earworm feeding and delivered higher quality grain than the competitors. 



Read more about the performance of hybrids with Agrisure Viptera in Missouri and Nebraska, and stay on top of the latest crop management information by visiting Know More, Grow More.


For more information about Agrisure Viptera hybrids, visit www.agrisureviptera.com. Join the conversation online – connect with us at social.SyngentaUS.com.

About Syngenta
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/Syngenta and www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS.

Media Contacts:
Shane Dailey
612-656-8153
shane.dailey@syngenta.com

Michelle Jackson
919-870-5718
mjackson@gscommunications.com

Web Resources:
Agrisure Viptera
Agrisure Traits
Know More, Grow More

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. 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.

©2017 Syngenta. 11055 Wayzata Boulevard Minnetonka, MN 55305. Agrisure®, Agrisure Viptera®, Golden Harvest®, Seed Advisor™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.