Syngenta Thrive

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Cotton crops are vulnerable to a spectrum of insect pests, including plant bugs, mites, thrips and stink bugs. Scouting for these insects is an essential first step to protect cotton yields, followed by an insecticide rotation program to help keep populations low and manage resistance.

An illustration of a tarnished plant bug shows a clear visual of its identifying characteristics, including the reddish-brown markings on wings.
Tarnished plant bug

Learn to Identify Plant Bugs, Thrips and More

These cotton insects all use piercing mouthpieces to feed on cotton plants, but damage varies based on the specific pest. Get to know the identifying characteristics to make informed management decisions.

  • Plant bugs, also known as lygus, are green or brown in color and have reddish-brown markings on their wings. They use their piercing mouths to feed on tender cotton plant terminals and small squares before they bloom. After bloom, plant bugs begin feeding on larger squares. Feeding damage may cause squares to abort, which can lower yield potential.
  • Thrips range from yellow to black in color. With an overall body length of less than 1/12 an inch, these persistent cotton pests are small but mighty, with the potential to cause yield reductions of more than 100 pounds of lint per acre. Damage occurs when thrips infestations feed on seedlings.
  • Twospotted spider mites are greenish or red in color, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. These insects pierce cotton plant cells and extract liquid from the cells. Damage first appears as white or yellowish specks called stipules. Twospotted spider mites also feed on bracts of squares and bolls. Over time, this can prematurely defoliate plants. Extended periods of injury can reduce profitable yields, fiber quality and seed.
  • Stink bugs penetrate cotton bolls and feed on seeds, damaging lint quality and causing the bolls to abort. Stink bugs can transmit disease pathogens that lead to boll rot. When scouting, the North Carolina State University Extension advises you inspect bolls for small, round, shallow and purplish depressions. Other internal signs of damage include small wart-like growths or dark pinprick spots on the inside of the boll wall. Though similar to tarnished plant bug damage, stink bugs damage larger bolls than plant bugs.

Control Tough Insect Pests and Prevent Resistance

For consistent control of these cotton insects, rotating insecticides with multiple modes of action is an important management strategy.

Vertento® insecticide, powered by PLINAZOLIN technology, is an important addition to insecticide rotation programs. Its innovative active ingredient provides exceptional protection against plant bugs and other economically significant cotton insects.

A side-by-side comparison photo shows insect damage in untreated cotton plants next to cotton plants treated with Vertento insecticide. The untreated side shows reduced marketable yields.
In a trial testing plant bug damage in cotton, cotton plants treated with Vertento had less damage than untreated cotton for improved marketable yield potential. Source: Sales Support Trial SyngPB – AR 2022. *PLINAZOLIN technology is the active ingredient in Vertento insecticide.

Vertento introduces a novel mode of action in IRAC Group 30 with no cross-resistance to other modes of action. With increasing incidence of resistant populations of insects, options like Vertento help replace older chemistries to manage resistance while providing excellent control of challenging pests.

A graph comparing the number of tarnished plant bug nymphs in cotton shows that plants treated with Vertento had fewer nymphs per ten row feet than untreated cotton.
In a trial testing the number of tarnished plant bug nymphs in cotton, plants treated with Vertento had fewer nymphs per 10 row ft. than untreated cotton plants. MS, 2020. Trial: USSB0I1042020.

For additional information about protecting marketable cotton yields, controlling tough insects and managing resistance, reach out to your Syngenta representative.

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Leafy green growers — do you have a plan for Western flower thrips? These tiny, slender pests feed on the leaves of your lettuce, spinach and other leafy vegetables.

  • Thrips puncture the epidermal layer of plant tissue and extract cell contents.
  • Feeding damage results in stippling and discoloration.
  • Cosmetic scarring and reduced crop quality render vegetables unmarketable.
  • Heavy infestations lead to necrosis, costing yield and profit potential.
Detailed illustration of a western flower thrip
Western flower thrip (Frankliniella occidentalis)

Thrips Threaten Lettuce, Spinach and More

Feeding damage isn’t the only threat thrips pose to lettuce crops. The Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV), transmitted by western flower thrips, causes severe damage to crops. To make matters worse, traditional pest management practices are no match for the one-two punch of thrips and INSV.

According to the University of Arizona, the standard management practice used to involve allowing thrips to build up on young vegetable crops before using two well-timed foliar insecticide applications to prevent feeding damage on marketable yields.

Although this method was effective for years, INSV and resistance development have changed the landscape of thrips management in leafy vegetables.

INSV Transmission in Leafy Crops

The University of Arizona found that leafy INSV infections can occur in two ways:

  1. Primary infection or spread can occur when INSV-infected adults from an outside host source migrate into your fields, feed on the crop and transmit the virus to otherwise healthy plants.
  2. Secondary infection or spread occurs when thrips larvae acquire INSV by feeding on an infected plant (either the crop itself or nearby weeds), develop into infected adults and transmit INSV throughout your fields.

Scouting Reminder: Only larvae can acquire INSV, and only adult thrips can transmit the disease to your crops.

How to Control Thrips and Manage the Spread of INSV

The presence of INSV demands a more proactive approach to thrips management to prevent the introduction and spread of the virus in your leafy crops. The University of California recommends an integrated program including selective insecticides; however, thrips have already developed resistance to several available options, leaving growers uncertain about the future.

The answer? Incipio™ insecticide, powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology. Through a novel mode of action, Incipio provides key advantages that can help turn the tide of thrips management, including:

  • Consistent, long-lasting control of thrips.
  • A next-generation active ingredient that works on the GABA receptor of insect nervous systems to deliver control of immature and adult thrips.
  • No known resistance or cross-resistance, making Incipio an important option for resistance management.
  • A formulation that can withstand a range of weather conditions.
  • Residual control to protect against thrips and INSV.
Bar chart showing impact of western flower thrips in lettuce crops treated with Incipio
In a trial testing lettuce pest sensitivity to western flower thrips, lettuce treated with Incipio developed fewer thrips per plant than untreated lettuce. Source: Trial: USWB0I2152020. CA, 2020.

Learn more about how Incipio can help you grow with confidence by preventing the spread of disease-causing pests in your leafy vegetables today. For additional information, reach out to your local Syngenta representative.

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Understanding pest pressure is key to producing any crop, and brassica vegetables are no exception. Insect pests such as diamondback moth, cabbage looper and imported cabbageworm can cause significant damage to brassica crops like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and more.

Defend Brassica Crops Against Diamondback Moth

Of the many insect pests brassica growers face, diamondback moth (DBM) may be the most challenging. Bringing new meaning to the phrase “small but mighty,” DBM larvae measure less than half an inch in size but can inflict serious damage to brassica crops, leading to devastating losses, reduced crop quality and increased control costs. Studies estimate that DBM costs the U.S. economy $1-2 billion annually.

The most sinister quality of DBM is the fact that it has quickly developed resistance to many available insecticides. The Journal of Economic Entomology cites that DBM was able to develop a high level of resistance to chlorantraniliprole within just three years of the chemistry’s introduction. The number of documented cases of resistance for DBM is greater than any other arthropod, earning it the title “the worst insect pest of brassica vegetable crops” by Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

DBM damage can vary according to the age of the crop and pest. Young larvae tend to feed on the lower leaf surface of more mature plants, leaving the upper epidermis of the leaf intact and giving it a distinct “windowpane” appearance. If uncontrolled, it can completely remove all foliar tissue of the plant besides leaf veins.

An image of a cabbage leaf damaged by diamondback moth larvae.
Cabbage leaf damaged by young DBM larvae.

Older DBM larvae prefer to feed at the crowns or growing points of young plants, chewing on floral stalks and flower buds. This can cause severely stunted growth and disrupted head formation in cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. The presence of larvae and contamination in florets will lead to complete rejection of produce.

Despite these challenges, new chemistries can improve the outlook for DBM control. Incipio™ insecticide designed to help growers farm with greater peace of mind and assist with resistance management.

Incipio provides consistent foliar pest protection in vegetable crops, delivering high efficacy and long-lasting, broad-spectrum control. This innovative insecticide introduces PLINAZOLIN® technology, a novel mode of action (IRAC Group 30) that acts by contact and ingestion, modulating the GABA receptor of the pest’s nervous system and causing rapid feeding cessation after uptake.

A bar chart showing improved control of diamondback moth in bok choy with Incipio compared to alternative products.
California trials show Incipio insecticide provides better control of DBM in bok choy compared to competitor products and an untreated check. Source: USWD0I2202021. Modesto, CA; 2021.

Control Additional Brassica Insect Pests

Incipio complements integrated pest management programs to help control other brassica insect pests.

  • Cabbage loopers damage crops during the larval stage. They have a pale green appearance with distinct white stripes down each side and four light stripes down the back. Mature larvae reach about 1.5 in in length. According to Michigan State University, this pest initially chews only the underside of leaves before they eventually create holes through the entire leaf.
  • Imported cabbageworms are most distinguishable by their fuzzy gray-green appearance. The feeding damage left behind by imported cabbageworms is similar to cabbage loopers, but Clemson University Cooperative Extension states that imported cabbageworms cause about two-thirds less damage to brassica crops than cabbage loopers.
A comparison photo shows improved control of diamondback moth shows in cabbage with a program including Incipio insecticide compared to alternative products.
A New Jersey trial showed reduced diamondback moth damage in cabbage treated with a program including Incipio insecticide compared to alternative products. Source: Internal Syngenta trials. Craig Austin. NJ, 2023.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension suggests implementing cultural practices to keep brassica crops free of cabbage loopers and imported cabbageworms. Key cultural practices include managing weeds to minimize protection and overwintering sites for these pests. Additionally, remove and destroy crop residue as soon as the crops have been harvested to eliminate any remaining pests.

In addition to managing weeds and removing crop residue, the University of Wisconsin – Madison Extension recommends scouting crops weekly, especially for caterpillars. Even if no feeding damage is apparent, check for eggs that will hatch into small caterpillars several days to a week later.

Incipio complements these cultural practices as part of an integrated pest management program to help enhance control of the most challenging brassica insect threats.

Bar chart showing impact of imported cabbageworm on brassica crops under various treatment plans, including improved control with Incipio insecticide.
In a trial testing the average number of imported cabbageworm larvae in brassica crops, plants treated with Incipio had less larvae per 5 plants than untreated plants. Source: USNC0I1022020. 6, 9, 14, 20 and 27 days after last application. WI, 2020.

For additional information about tackling tough insect pests, reach out to your Syngenta representative.

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To keep tree crops healthy from root to fruit, it’s crucial to monitor and maintain soil conditions that provide easy access to water and nutrients. This is especially important for almonds, which require roughly a gallon of water per nut.

Loose, loamy soil is ideal, and taking care to avoid working wet soil will help prevent compaction that could compromise roots. Trees stressed from an inconsistent delivery of water and nourishment will default to supporting their own survival at the expense of the crop.

For example, stress from nutrient-deficient soil can undermine a tree’s microbiome by killing beneficial organisms that would otherwise support nutrient uptake and feeder root growth while fending-off soilborne pathogens. More than 24 hours of standing water can result in a steep increase in disease pathogens including Phytophthora — Greek for “plant destroyer” — a water mold that produces swimming spores to quickly spread its infection from one tree to another.

Adding organic matter to the soil and planting cover crops with strong, vigorous root systems are effective ways to help trees access the resources they need and fend off orchard-destroying stressors.

A close up image of a young almond tree infected with Phytopthora.
Phytophthora infected almond tree. Source: Syngenta. California, 2017

Study Shows Healthy Soil Enhances Yield Potential and Profitability

In a 2022 study of almond growers, the American Farmland Trust (AFT) found that growers who implemented soil health maintenance practices saw a yield increase valued at $46 to $968 per acre based on California average almond prices, and an increase in annual net income ranging from $99 to $1,502 per acre per year.

Not only does healthy soil improve yields and annual income, it can also boost return on investment by reducing input costs like fertilizers, machinery and fuel. Unhealthy soil can have the opposite effect. For example, if the soil is too compact, it may struggle to drain, negatively affecting the return on investment by requiring more inputs for the trees to receive the same fertilization.

Best Practices for Tree Nut Orchard Soil Health

The first step to improving soil health is determining what your soil needs — but it doesn’t stop there. Follow these practices to help maximize your tree nut production through proper soil health management:

  • Assess your soil profile: Gauge tree root health by probing soil near the root line to determine what nutrients are needed. With a clear understanding of the soil profile and health of the root system, you’ll be better prepared to determine which specific amendments will best break up the soil for proper water retention and supplement missing nutrients as needed.
  • Implement cover cropping: Planting cover crops between tree rows in the off-season can pay off in orchard water retention and biodiversity. These crops’ roots help improve soil structure, resulting in greater porosity, water infiltration and drainage, while also supporting beneficial organisms in the soil that help break it down and boost nutrient cycling.
  • Add mulch: Mulching is an effective practice for enhancing water retention and regulating soil temperature. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil, reducing the need for frequent irrigation. It also provides an insulating layer, keeping soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, while benefiting root health and reducing stress on the trees.
  • Apply a proper fungicide: A robust fungicide that protects against pathogens and supports overall plant health is a must to maximize tree nut production. Orondis® fungicide significantly reduces Phytophthora propagule counts while also improving root health and encouraging water and nutrient uptake. This is especially important for young trees with developing root systems that are more susceptible to disease.

Maintaining healthy soil is crucial to unlocking consistent profitability and orchard longevity.

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You already understand the land, history, and nostalgia of your farm — the smell of the dirt, the thrill of firing up the combine, the memories of Granddad’s grease-blackened hands coaxing the old Massey into running semi-smoothly through one more harvest. But could someone else offer insight that would add to the profitability and longevity of your outfit?

Maybe you’ve heard of farm advisory boards from a meeting put on at the county extension office, or in some trade magazine, or from your neighbor down the road who really seems to have things together on their farm. And maybe you’ve thought, “Huh, that sounds like a pretty good idea.” But maybe your next thought was, “How do I even start putting one of these advisory boards together?”

Well, we may not have all the answers about how to construct your farm’s dream team but following is a general outline of what a farm advisory board is and some tips to help you create a board that is tailor-made for your farm.

Step 1: Define your goals by asking the right questions.

  • What do you want to achieve on your operation?
  • What are the weak points?
  • What kind of expertise — finance, legal counsel, succession planning, agronomy, equipment, government regulations — does your farm lack?
  • What kind of commitment and responsibilities do you need from members of your board, and what decision-making authority will they have?

Step 2: Recruit your team.

  • Draw from your pool of resources but also ask fellow producers, industry associations, or extension services for recommendations. While the team should be made up of people you trust, an advisory board could benefit from having members who don’t have a prior relationship with you. Building that relationship and foundation of trust can help motivate both parties to work effectively together.
  • On a related note, consider carefully whether to recruit old pals or family members to serve on your board. While most of the members should be well-acquainted with the industry, some advisers suggest including individuals who can provide objective business perspectives alongside industry expertise.
  • Look for people not only with diverse skills and perspectives, but also who listen well, provide candid feedback, and admit when they don’t have an answer.
  • Consider including professionals with relevant expertise, such as an accountant, an attorney, a financial adviser and/or banker, based on your business’ needs.

Step 3: Set clear expectations and maintain momentum.

  • Early on, establish protocols such as how often you will meet, who will lead each meeting, what the process will be for setting agendas and how to follow through on discussion points.
  • Before meetings, gather your financial information and have a clear agenda so your board can provide the most relevant input. Agenda items should be thoughtful and well-planned. However, it is vitally important to set a time limit for meetings so that agreed actions get taken and team members do not experience burnout.
  • Cultivate an environment where open, unbiased and independent communication is encouraged. Some farm businesses even bring in a third-party facilitator or assign a non-owner advisory team member to conduct meetings to help foster such an atmosphere.
  • After your first meeting, have the next one scheduled before you leave. Many producers find that quarterly meetings work well for them. But figure out what works best for your business and your board and start with that.

A foundation of honest, trusted voices strengthens any business, especially one as multifaceted as farming. When executed properly, an advisory board can serve as a powerful springboard that can help you and your farm take your next, confident steps into a more sustainable, more profitable, and ultimately brighter future.

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Corn rootworm can devastate a corn crop. The larvae can damage corn root tissue and hairs, affecting corn crops early in the season, and the damage can continue when the larvae mature and emerge from the ground, clipping silks. Root damage from larvae can lead to weak plants, causing corn to lodge following wet or windy conditions, making harvest more difficult.

The potential for crop injury is high long before symptoms are observed above ground. Growers can expect 15% yield loss on average for every root node pruned by corn rootworm. Additionally, corn rootworm control is diminished as resistance to older chemistries increases.

Scout Corn Rootworm

Scout for corn rootworm all season long to inform next season’s control decisions. In the Midwest, corn rootworm is active in the field from mid-May to early September. If you see large populations of larvae or adult beetles, it is a sign that your control measures were inadequate this year and that you can likely expect high pressure again next season as the pest overwinters in the soil.

When scouting for corn rootworm, remember these helpful tips from the Iowa State University Extension:

  • Gather the proper supplies, including a shovel or spade and black garbage bag or bucket of water. Consider using a hand lens as well. Later in the season, sticky traps are useful scouting tools.
  • Expect to see larvae in the first instar stage in late May. This is where a hand lens will come in handy to see the tiny insects.
  • Select a random plant. Dig out the plant and surrounding soil. Hand-sort or use the float test, giving the insect ample time to become apparent. Record the average number of larvae on each plant.
  • When scouting for adults, use either the sticky trap or in-field plant count method. If using the sticky trap method, place traps along the same row at least 165 feet apart. Leave the traps in the field for a week and record the number of adult corn rootworms. If using the in-field plant method, select two plants within 10 feet of each other in 20 random sites and inspect for adult corn rootworm.

Get Control of Corn Rootworm From the Start

Start the season on the right leaf with a robust soil-applied at-planting insecticide to effectively minimize the risk of corn rootworm damage from season to season, especially if you found corn rootworm last season.

Opello™ insecticide, powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology, provides excellent control of corn rootworm and other soil-dwelling insect pests. By defending roots against below-ground insect feeding, Opello protects overall plant health, reduces the incidence of lodged corn and preserves yield potential.

A comparison photo shows healthy corn treated with Opello insecticide compared to an untreated check damaged by below-ground insects.
By reducing below-ground insect threats and root damage, Opello protects plant health, reducing lodged corn incidence and preserving yield potential. Source: Internal Syngenta trial; Location: IA; USNA0I0012023.

With an innovative active ingredient in IRAC group 30, Opello offers growers an opportunity to revitalize their management programs and enhance resistance management. Opello gives growers the flexibility to choose to grow continuous corn acres rather than rotating to a non-host crop.

A comparison photo shows enhanced control of corn rootworm with Opello compared to an untreated check and alternative products.
In a trial testing corn rootworm damage, corn roots in soil treated with Opello had less damage than untreated corn and roots in soil treated with Force® Evo Capture LFR insecticide. Source: USNB0I1152019. Internal Syngenta Trial; NE, 2019. Force Evo and Opello are Restricted Use Pesticides.

Its compatible formulation blends through tank mixing with a wide range of starter fertilizers without specialized equipment to aid in easier application.

Additionally, Opello provides control of soil pests like wireworm and white grub, helping you protect your seed investment from additional underground pests.

To learn more about how Opello can help you manage soil-dwelling insects in your corn fields, reach out to your Syngenta representative.

Force Evo and Opello are Restricted Use Pesticides.

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Input costs are always a concern, especially when planning for the upcoming growing season. While recent tariff exemptions offer some price relief, there’s still plenty of sticker shock, especially relative to crop prices.

Because growers don’t want to see their fertilizer investments go to waste, it’s important to protect the input cost. By removing early-season weed competition, growers can maximize fertilizer inputs — helping their crops, not weeds, take up essential nutrients.  

Feed the Crop, Not the Weeds

Growers may be tempted to reduce spending on inputs, like herbicides, to offset the cost of fertilizer. However, a strong weed management program is essential to reach yield goals.

Consider the amount of fertilizer that weeds steal from your corn and the impact that it has on your crop. A Syngenta study across 20 locations found that weeds as small as 2 to 4 inches consumed 13.4 pounds of nitrogen, 0.85 pounds of phosphorus and 16.8 lbs. of potassium1. In 2025, this equates to roughly $15.15 per acre in lost fertilizer nutrients alone. The current impact is even greater with increased fertilizer prices. 

That’s a costly situation since it takes: 

  • 1.85 pounds of phosphate to replace the .85 pounds of phosphorus  
  • 28 pounds of muriate of potash to replace the 16.8 pounds of potassium  
  • 29.13 pounds of urea to replace the 13.5 pounds of nitrogen  

“If that’s not enough, those weeds can rob 2% of your yield,” says Kevin Gesse, head of herbicide product marketing at Syngenta. “That’s 4.34 bu/A, based on an average Illinois corn yield of 217 bu/A2.”  

Gesse recommends that growers leverage investment in variable expenses — like fertilizer, crop protection and seed — to increase yield potential. “While fertilizer prices have increased 2.4% on average each year for the last seven years, the cost of crop protection products has remained stable,” he says. 

Know Your Soil Before Investing

In addition to using a quality preemergence herbicide, knowing when and where to place fertilizer helps unlock the full potential of the investment. It’s also important to know which nutrients already exist in the soil and in what quantities before making decisions on fertilizer investment. 

A soil test indicates nutrient levels, including those of potassium and phosphorus, which helps growers avoid overspending on fertilizer. That knowledge helps inform growers on how to best spend their hard-earned dollars on a high-performance herbicide program that will help ensure the crops benefit from these valuable nutrients.

How to Discover More Profit Potential

When tackling tough weeds, implementing a full-season approach is important. Starting with a high performance residual preemergence herbicide containing multiple sites of action and following up with a post-emergence herbicide with overlapping residual control helps ensure weeds don’t get established and rob nutrients from the crop. 

Gesse reiterates the importance of using multiple active ingredients (AI) in an herbicide program. “Acuron corn herbicide contains four AIs — including bicyclopyrone — for broad-spectrum weed control,” he says. “Growers can protect their fertilizer investment by controlling weeds before they emerge with this herbicide either used pre-emergence at a full rate or in a split-shot application with a portion of the rate applied pre-emergence followed by the remainder of the rate post-emergence.” 

Storen® corn herbicide is another tool that helps maximize residual control and minimize fertilizer loss. It uses four active ingredients – including bicyclopyrone – to provide consistently clean rows up to three weeks longer than other leading corn residual herbicide products.

If growers can’t control weeds before emergence, Gesse suggests eliminating weeds before they reach 1 to 2 inches to minimize damage. However, by that point, the weeds are already cutting into a grower’s fertilizer investments and stealing vital nutrients. It’s also important to check labels for application directions and best practices for herbicide–resistance management.

1Weed Nutrient Uptake Source: Approximately 20 Syngenta Learning Center Research locations between 2006-2008. Nutrients measured from samples taken from weeds 1”-2” and 2”-4” in height. Analysis completed by Midwest Labs, Omaha, NE. Period from weed emergence to removal at 1”-2” in height was 10 days and 2”-4” in height was 20 days. Cost of Weed Uptake Source: https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/fertilizer-prices-rise-moderately-2021. Calculations used 28% UAN as the nitrogen source, DAP-(18-46-0) as the phosphorus source and muriate of potash-(0-0-60) as the potash source. 

22 Data Source: USDA NASS 2024 IL yield estimates 

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As insect pest resistance to existing chemistries continues to rise, insect pest management has become increasingly challenging for growers across a variety of crop areas. After 12 years of research and development and more than 3,000 U.S. trials, PLINAZOLIN® technology received federal registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, providing a cutting-edge insect management solution in corn, cotton, vegetables, tree fruit, cereals and more.

“Today marks a breakthrough moment for growers in bringing PLINAZOLIN technology to the U.S. market,” says Elijah Meck, Ph.D., Syngenta technical product lead. “This game-changing mode of action offers new levels of crop protection and flexibility that puts growers back in control of their operations.”

1 AI, 5 Powerful Products

Growers can work with their retailer to order a seed treatment, soil-applied insecticide or foliar-applied insecticide containing PLINAZOLIN technology, including:

  • Equento®: This insecticide seed treatment offers a flexible and compatible option to terminate wireworms and suppress other below-ground pests, ultimately improving plant stand and helping growers’ bottom line.
  • Opello™: Delivering revolutionary control of corn rootworm, Opello is a soil-applied insecticide shown to consistently help corn yield up to 9 bu/A more than older technology1. Its highly tank-mix compatible formulation allows growers to leave equipment clogs and slowdowns in the past.
  • Vertento®: One of the toughest insect pest fighters in its class, Vertento is a foliar-applied insecticide for cotton, peanuts and onions. It delivers a fast-acting, knockout punch to insect pests including plant bugs, thrips and mites.
  • Incipio™: With impressive residual strength to take the guesswork out of insect control, Incipio is a foliar-applied insecticide for brassica, leafy, cucurbit and fruiting vegetable crops that delivers a heavy-duty takedown of tough insect pests.
  • Zivalgo™: This foliar-applied insecticide can lead the way for potato and tree fruit insect pest management with unmatched, broad-spectrum control of Colorado potato beetles, codling moth, citrus thrips, spider mites and more.

All PLINAZOLIN technology products belong to IRAC Group 30 and address critical pest challenges across major crop segments with grower-focused benefits at the forefront. Each formulation has been specifically designed to maximize performance based on crop needs, pest pressure and application method.

“I’m most excited for growers to reap the benefits of the excellent pest control that PLINAZOLIN technology offers in addition to enjoying an enhanced application experience,” says Scott Johnson, Syngenta product lead.

For more information contact your local Syngenta representative or visit www.PLINAZOLINtechnology.com.

1Source: n = 8 trials; Average CRW Injury: 1.51 on IS 0-3 Scale. Internal and University Cooperator Field Trials 2022 – 2024. IA (3), WI, IL, KS, SD, MN.

Opello is a Restricted Use Pesticide.

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Damage from belowground insects can have season-long impacts on cereal and pulse crops. The harm these pests cause can open the door to weed pressure, reduce stands and, ultimately, lower yield and profit potential. In the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains, wireworms can have a major impact on cereal crops, leading to as much as 100% yield loss when the pests aren’t properly managed1. This challenge led to the development of Equento® insecticide seed treatment, recently registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Equento, powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology, contains a new IRAC Group 30 active ingredient that is lethal to wireworms in cereal and pulse crops. With no known cross-resistance to other insecticides and compatibility with other Syngenta seed treatments and custom blends, Equento delivers the missing piece in a pest management plan to better protect crops from a wide range of early-season pests.

Equento sets cereal and pulse crops up for a more successful season through:

  • Delivering a mode of action that causes paralysis of pests and stops their feeding
  • Killing pests through contact and ingestion, resulting in a kill rate of up to 97% in spring wheat2
  • Helping ensure full germination potential and plant establishment
  • Complementing neonicotinoid and diamide seed treatments
  • Offering a stable, consistent formulation that resists leaching into the soil and reduces dust-off

Equento is the first wireworm seed treatment that is registered on both cereal and pulse crops, providing fields with continual pest management even when rotating between the two crops. In addition to its lethality on wireworms, Equento offers suppression of seedcorn maggots in pulse crops. There are currently no rescue treatments available when seedcorn maggot damage is detected later in the season, making Equento a valuable preventive solution against this pest.

Equento has been shown to increase wheat yields by an average of 115% in wireworm trials3 and pulse crop yields by an average of 79% in seedcorn maggot trials3, while improving wheat stands by an average of 58% over the base treatment alone4.

To learn more about Equento for your cereal and pulse crops, visit SyngentaUS.com/Equento.

1“Seasonal population dynamics of wireworms in wheat crops in the Pacific Northwestern United States,” 28 September 2015 / Revised: 3 March 2016 / Accepted: 7 March 2016 / Published online: 10 March 2016; Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016.

2In-house Syngenta trial: OR, 2022.

3Contracted Trials, ID, MT, ND, OR, WA, Canadian provinces of AB and SK, 2015-2023.

4Contracted Trials, DE, ID, NJ, OR, VA, WA, 2018-2023.

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How do you take a shortcut without cutting too many corners? When considering ways to eliminate tasks or save money, it’s important to look at the big picture to be sure it doesn’t actually end up costing you more in the long run.

Take herbicides, for example. Increasingly, many soybean growers choose to skip preemergence herbicides and rely solely on post-emergence applications for soybean weed management. No doubt, choosing the best seed variety with the right trait package is crucial for producing a high-yielding crop. These technologies have been game changers for growers, allowing them to push the limits of their fields’ yield potential by pairing high-performing traits with industry-leading herbicides.

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Growers may need to make as many as three passes with post-emergence herbicides, and that may not even be enough control if weeds have been allowed to take hold.

Here’s the problem, though. Many growers are finding that skimping on preemergence applications creates more problems than it solves. Growers may need to make as many as three passes with post-emergence herbicides, and that may not even be enough control if weeds have been allowed to take hold.

Five Reasons To Not Skip Preemergence Herbicides

While certain seed purchases dictate which post-emergence herbicides to use, it’s important to still take a full-season approach that includes preemergence residual herbicides. Here are five benefits of including preemergence residual herbicides in your program every year:

1. Better Weed Control

If you choose to use a budget preemergence herbicide or skip this crucial application altogether, you’re likely to end up with a lot of weed breaks, including tough-to-control weeds like waterhemp. Once these weeds break through, getting them under control can be difficult. It’s common for growers in these scenarios to make two or three post-emergence applications; and even then, they still may not get full weed control.

2. Higher Yields

Weeds reduce the crops’ access to sunlight, water, space and nutrients; and this adds up to lower yields at the end of the season. In no-till soybeans, Michigan State Extension has observed yield losses of up to 7 bushels per acre if weeds are not controlled until the unifoliate stage (VC) compared with controlling early-season weeds prior to or at planting. Additionally, waiting to control these weeds until the V1 stage (first trifoliate) can reduce yield by approximately 0.5 bushels per acre per day.

3. Better Budgeting

While you may hope to cut costs by skipping preemergent applications or opting for budget herbicides, this approach often has the inverse effect and ends up costing more. That’s because skipping this crucial foundation application introduces the need for more post applications than were originally planned, which adds an extra expense in herbicide costs as well as gas, labor, and equipment wear and tear. It is often more cost effective to invest in a high performance preemergence residual herbicide as part of a complete herbicide protection program.

4. Less Crop Damage From Post Passes

Post applications should be made sparingly, as they can inadvertently cause crop damage by knocking off valuable pods or running over entire plants. Making a pre-emergent application gets the herbicide in the ground before plants reach this vulnerable stage and reduces the potential for late-season crop damage, helping your fields reach their full yield potential.

5. More Predictability

From weather to commodity prices, there are many things about farming that can’t be controlled. By putting this preemergence application down, you can rest assured knowing you will have fewer weeds to contend with later in the season. That means more time for other priorities instead of making multiple unplanned post-emergence trips.

Solutions for Full-Season Weed Control

It’s a fact: A planned preemergence residual herbicide is a good investment, and skipping this crucial step or compromising on product quality can have big late-season repercussions. For better weed control and maximum yield potential, Tendovo® soybean herbicide used preemergence and adding Dual Magnum® herbicide to your post-emergence plan should be essential pieces of your weed management program.

Tendovo offers excellent weed control as well as the flexibility to farm the way you like. Regardless of which trait it’s paired with, Tendovo provides outstanding residual control of more than 70 weeds. Additionally, it can be used on any soil type with proven crop safety An added benefit of Tendovo is that it helps soybeans close the canopy faster, keeping rows covered and acting like a “fourth mode of action.” Faster canopy means more energy for pods, and that propels higher yields.

Patrick Ligon, an Illinois retailer, has seen the benefits of Tendovo first-hand from both a weed control and crop safety perspective. “I’ve noticed Tendovo herbicide holds a lot longer than other herbicides,” he says. “When I go in for that post pass, those weeds are a lot smaller and easier to kill. Additionally, the crop safety with Tendovo has been miles ahead of other herbicides I’ve used. My stand count has consistently stayed in that range we’ve been shooting for.”

For full season weed control and higher yielding crops, don’t skimp on your preemergence application. Your future self will thank you.