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Syngenta launches new chemistry at arable conference
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There was a large turnout of agricultural merchants, agronomists, food chain, DARD and AFBI staff for this week’s Syngenta arable conference. The event was used to launch a number of new products, featuring new chemistry, relevant to the cereal and potato sectors
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 The speakers at this year's Syngenta Arable Conference |
| Syngenta’s cereal fungicide technical manager Dave
Ranner told attending delegates that Northern Ireland growers now have an
advanced way to make more of their barley crops’ better prices by tackling its
major yield-robbing diseases this season – while also responding to concerns
over fungicide resistance. “New Kayak barley fungicide offers improved performance against Rhynchosporium and a useful anti-resistance tank mix partner,” he pointed out. “Kayak, from Syngenta, is a new liquid formulation of the fungicide cyprodinil. As well as providing a significant improvement in control of the major disease Rhynchosporium, it has a big part to play in resistance management with no known Rhynchosporium resistance in the UK.” He added: “The significance of this is that Rhynchosporium sensitivity to commonly used triazole fungicides has declined recently, and continues to be a risk. So Kayak not only provides a high performing option, but could also ease the resistance pressure on triazole fungicides, while also controlling net blotch, mildew and eyespot.” Syngenta’s field technical manager for speciaist crops Jon Ogborn then unveiled Mandipropamid as a new chemical which brings new standards of control over late blight in potatoes. He told delegates: “Mandipropamid, the first derivative of the chemical class of mandelamide fungicides, sets a new standard in performance. Locking rapidly and tightly to the leaf’s waxy layer, it provides a highly effective, weatherproof and long-lasting barrier to diseases. “Mandipropamid is a significant innovation. This new technology further strengthens our leading fungicide portfolio, which offers growers a complete range of solutions to control plant disease. Jon went on to confirm that Mandipropamid has already been trialled in Northern Ireland and will be commercially available in the province this year. Delegates were then made aware of a new herbicide for potatoes that is safe on all varieties, growing on all soil types, and with a flexible application window. Successfully launched as a novel grass and broad leaf herbicide in cereals last autumn, Defy also controls key broad-leaved weeds and grass weeds in potatoes. “Defy promises to simplify potato growers’ pre-emergence weed control strategies this Spring,” confirmed Syngenta’s Raymond Hilman. “One of the key benefits of Defy is its simplicity at a busy time of year; for use on all varieties, all soil types and for all end-customer protocols.” He added: “It’s very easy to use for the operator, with straightforward recommendations and excellent crop safety.” Over 50 farmers undertook field-scale trials last year, with very positive results and valuable practical feedback, which confirmed results of 30 replicated field trials, crop safety trials and variety screens in the UK. Defy has been used commercially by potato growers across continental Europe for over 10 years. The active ingredient, Prosulfocarb, is a fast-acting, residual thiocarbamate selective herbicide but, unlike any other thiocarbamates, Defy does not need to be incorporated. Rapid uptake through the roots and shoots ensures emerging weed seedlings quickly wither and die.
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