Research confirms Agrisure Duracade® trait stacks from Syngenta Seeds help growers maintain strong root systems under CRW pressure
SLATER, Iowa, USA, Sept. 8, 2021 – Syngenta Seeds announced today results from a recent field study on the effects of corn rootworm (CRW), highlighting that hybrids with the Agrisure Duracade trait have proven effective in limiting the impact of CRW. Growers in the Midwest are seeing heavy CRW pressure this year, a likely result of large beetle populations in past seasons, good overwintering of CRW eggs and favorable spring conditions for larval survival.
CRW has a highly-adaptative life cycle, and populations can build year after year in fields when left uncontrolled, costing growers around $1 billion in lost yield and control measures each year. It is critical to utilize long-term management strategies to get ahead of pressure and manage this pest year over year.
In addition to using sticky traps to monitor adult CRW populations, one strategy to monitor CRW pressure and analyze the performance of management options is a root dig, which is performed to inspect the integrity of field corn’s root systems.
“When the larvae feed on the roots, it can reduce water and nutrient uptake. In extreme cases, root lodging occurs where the roots become so damaged that they cannot properly anchor the plant to ground, making them susceptible to strong winds,” said Bruce Battles, technical agronomy manager for Syngenta. “Root digs are valuable because they assess that threat, so we can make the proper adjustments to future CRW management programs.”
In July, the Syngenta Seeds agronomy team conducted a series of root digs1 across Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois to inspect traited hybrids that were planted in the spring. Roots from seven trial locations were washed and scored with the data compiled at the Syngenta Seeds research facility in Slater, Iowa. The goal of the digs was to see how hybrids with the Agrisure Duracade trait compared to non-treated and other rootworm-traited hybrids.
Key results from these root digs include:
- Using the 0 to 3 Node-Injury Scale from Iowa State University, the average root injury score of the untreated check was 1.5 nodes damaged (higher root scores indicate more corn rootworm damage).
- Using that same scale, the Agrisure Duracade-traited plants had 0.35 node damaged.
- Qrome®, SmartStax® and Agrisure Duracade trait stacks rated similarly across locations.
“The dig’s results confirm what growers have been seeing in their fields: hybrids with the Agrisure Duracade trait demonstrate more effective control of CRW to protect field health and yield potential than those left untreated,” said Battles. “We’re thrilled with these results, because it means growers are well-equipped in their defense against CRW, and we are looking forward to seeing more success this season and in the coming years.”
The Agrisure Duracade trait is a unique rotational option with novel, alternate modes of action to preserve trait durability, long-term field health and yield potential.
Check (left), Agrisure Duracade (middle left), Qrome (middle right), SmartStax (right)
Effective, long-term CRW management requires a multi-year, whole-farm approach that includes the integration of multiple control measures, not a singular technology. Growers with heavy CRW pressure should consider incorporating the following control measures into their CRW management approach:
- Rotate to a non-host crop such as soybeans, which provides the best opportunity to break the reproductive cycle of CRW.
- Plant hybrids with multiple CRW traits, including Agrisure Duracade trait stacks and Agrisure® 3122 E-Z Refuge.
- Scout and evaluate the need for adult beetle control with a foliar insecticide like Warrior II with Zeon Technology®
- If past history indicates high CRW pressure may occur, consider the use of a multiple CRW-traited hybrid and a soil-applied insecticide like Force® 6.5G
“Although there is not one guaranteed solution, there are tactics that can be used in a multi-year CRW management plan like crop rotation, soil-applied insecticides, adult beetle control and traited hybrids that farmers can use to get ahead of corn rootworm pressure,” said Tim O’Brien, PhD, Agrisure® traits manager for Syngenta. “The results of this dig suggest growers should strongly consider adding hybrids with the Agrisure Duracade trait to their whole-farm corn rootworm management approach to show corn rootworm something different and delay insect adaptation.”
For more information on Agrisure Duracade trait stacks and to find additional resources about proactive CRW management, visit www.agrisureduracade.com. A step-by-step Take Control of Corn Rootworm Management Brochure may also be accessed here. Join the conversation online – connect with Syngenta at Syngenta-us.com/social.
About Syngenta
Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources.
The content of this release is for information purposes only. This release is not, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or other property interests.
To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on X at www.twitter.com/Syngenta, www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/syngenta.
Media Contacts:
Jaime Jonesmith
314-605-6004
jaime.jonesmith@syngenta.com
Emma Kirkpatrick
919-870-5718
ekirkpatrick@gscommunications.com
Web Resources:
Agrisure Duracade
Agrisure Traits
Know More, Grow More
Syngenta Newsroom
Syngenta U.S.
Thrive
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document may contain 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. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.
1Seven location average, Slater, IA #1, Slater, IA #2, Belmond, IA; Bayard, IA; Clinton, IL; York, NE and Seward, NE, July 2021.
All photos are either the property of Syngenta or are used with permission.
Performance assessments are based upon results or analysis of public information, field observations and/or internal Syngenta evaluations.
©2021 Syngenta, 2001 Butterfield Road, 16th Floor, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some 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. Always read and follow label and bag tag instructions; only those labeled as tolerant to glufosinate may be sprayed with glufosinate ammonium based herbicides. Force 6.5G and Warrior II with Zeon Technology are Restricted Use Pesticides. Agrisure®, Agrisure Duracade®, E-Z Refuge®, Force®, Warrior II with Zeon Technology® and the Syngenta logo are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. HERCULEX® and the HERCULEX Shield are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. HERCULEX Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. More information about Agrisure Duracade® is available at http://www.biotradestatus.com/.