Syngenta announces revolution in insect control in corn

Syngenta has announced a major breakthrough in insect control in corn. It is called Viptera, a new corn trait that kills insects in a whole new way. "The Agrisure Viptera trait provides protection against the multi-pest complex for the entire growing season via a novel mode of action.” says Mark Lawson, Syngenta Seeds agronomist in Hendricks County, IN.

Lawson says one of the advantages of Viptera is that it kills insects quickly before they can do much damage, crop damage is a sneaky thing, damage to just 3 kernels per ear translates into a bushel an acre loss to the grower. The Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack not only controls 14 pests but also improves grain quality. Corn earworm, which historically has had no viable control solution, is highly susceptible to the Agrisure Viptera trait.

The traditional method of insect control is spraying insecticides, but Lawson says putting the control in the plant is much cheaper and more effective, "The protection is there 24/7 no matter when the insects show up to feed.” He also said many growers find the investment in the new trait more cost effective than spraying during infestation.  

Lawson said told HAT this is just the beginning of a revolution in insect control, “Over the next 4 years, Syngenta will be bringing a number of new traits to the market.” Viptera is available for the 2011 crop. Syngenta has introduced 140 new corn hybrids for 2011, including 41 featuring the Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack. These new hybrids will be sold by Garst, Golden Harvest, and NK Seeds.