Syngenta's Zemax herbicide receives U.S. EPA registration

Syngenta in North America announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted registration approval for ZemaxTM herbicide. Zemax is powered by Callisto Plant Technology® and specially formulated to deliver long-lasting residual weed control and application flexibility.

"Based on the same capsule-suspension formulation technology as Halex® GT corn herbicide, Zemax combines two active ingredients—mesotrione and S-metolachlor—into one product with optimized handling and physical properties,” said Johnny Reynolds, senior group leader of Herbicide Formulation Development for Syngenta. “Featuring good compatibility with sulfur-containing nitrogen fertilizers and other critical tank-mix partners, Zemax also was designed to minimize the effects of overwintering, which helps both distribution channel partners and growers.”

Mesotrione, the active ingredient in Callisto® herbicide, provides burndown and residual broadleaf weed control while S-metolachlor, the active ingredient in Dual II Magnum® herbicide, offers residual grass and small-seeded broadleaf weed control.

"This combination results in more effective residual control than competitive corn herbicides—SureStart®, TripleFLEX™ and Verdict™—on tough grasses and small-seeded broadleaf weeds such as waterhemp, pigweeds, foxtails, lambsquarters and ragweeds,” said Carroll Moseley, asset lead, Syngenta. “Zemax also is targeted for weed biotypes like waterhemp and pigweed that are tolerant or resistant to glyphosate, ALS-inhibiting, PPO and triazine herbicides.”

Moseley added that Zemax features excellent crop safety based on the proven corn safener, benoxacor, as well as unmatched application flexibility. “It can be applied at a full rate pre-emergence, at a foundation rate followed by Halex GT or tank mixed with glyphosate (Touchdown® or Roundup® brand herbicides) for post-emergence application up to 30-inch corn,” he said.

Reynolds said bringing Zemax to market demonstrates the commitment of Syngenta to provide new technology solutions and meet customer needs.

"One of those needs was a product that could be applied in areas like Wisconsin and Minnesota where atrazine use is limited or prohibited,” said Reynolds.

Zemax is also registered on more corn types than competitive corn herbicides. It is registered for use in field corn, seed corn, sweet corn, yellow popcorn and also grain sorghum. Refer to the product label for application instructions.