Syngenta introduces seven new Hilleshög® brand sugarbeet varieties for 2014 season

Syngenta has recently introduced seven new Hilleshög® brand varieties tailored to combat regional pest issues and deliver top genetic performance. Drawn from a robust genetic portfolio, the new varieties feature improved disease tolerance with two offering tolerance to nematodes.

The new nematode-tolerant varieties will be offered to growers within the cooperatives of Michigan Sugar Company, Wyoming Sugar Company and Western Sugar’s southern region in Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming where nematodes have been an ongoing issue in sugarbeet fields.

Other new varieties offered for 2014 feature increased disease control tailored for growers to tackle the disease issues within their growing region. American Crystal and the Southern Minn Beet Sugar Cooperative will add Hilleshög varieties with Rhizoctonia and Aphanomyces tolerance. Growers in Wyoming will now have a nematode/curly top-tolerant variety available. For Western Sugar’s southern region growers, a new variety with nematode and Fusarium tolerance will be available for 2014.

“Our industry-leading Rhizoctonia tolerance traits will continue to deliver outstanding protection, and we are confident our new varieties will live up to Hilleshög’s long-standing reputation for quality,” said Ring, head of sugarbeet seed product management at Syngenta. “With the recent announcement from Syngenta to increase global R&D for diverse field crops, which include sugarbeets, we look to continue providing growers with seed solutions to their most pertinent pest and diseases issues.”

Available on all Hilleshög brand varieties, CruiserMaxx® Sugarbeets combination insecticide/fungicide seed treatment can increase sugar yield. CruiserMaxx Sugarbeets complements Hilleshög genetics by delivering superior early-season protection from pests like Rhizoctonia and wireworms while boosting crop vigor and stand establishment.