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

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.