Syngenta Thrive

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We’ve seen how severe drought conditions can unexpectedly appear and put soybean yields at risk. Drought stress can have several adverse effects on your soybeans, including reduced nutrient availability, leaf roll up and stunted root growth.

Even under drought conditions, disease management is key to retaining your bottom line. A well-timed fungicide application with added plant-health benefits can help protect your yield all the way to harvest.

1. Fungicides help keep plants greener, longer by improving light absorption rates.

With drought stress comes slower photosynthesis. This can lead to reduced plant size, decreased standability and lower nutrient levels. In this case, a fungicide can improve plant health by maintaining the leaves’ capacity for light absorption.

2. Fungicides can help crops in stressful dry conditions by improving water-use efficiency.

Fungicides can help to lower transpiration rates in leaves while maintaining photosynthesis — helping plants withstand drought stress conditions longer — while continuing to pack on potential yield.

3. Fungicides help increase harvest efficiency, by improving crop health and reducing pod shattering.

Improved water-use efficiency can also help improve pod fill and prevent plants from dying prematurely and pod shattering, which can help you have a more profitable and efficient harvest.

With a plant health fungicide application, you can rest assured that your soybeans are protected from disease and the effects of drought stress. For long-lasting control plus superior plant-health benefits, we recommend a preventive application of Miravis® Neo fungicide so you can see more green in your fields, on your yield monitor and in your wallet.

Miravis Neo is powered by ADEPIDYN® technology — one of the highest-performing SDHI modes of action available — which directly impacts your plant’s ability to transpire and retain moisture, thereby protecting your yield potential from the effects of disease and drought stress.

When you combine higher potential yield and greater harvest efficiency you also gain greater time and fuel efficiency, meaning a lower cost per bushel per acre and a better deal at harvest.

A graph showing average yield over untreated with Miravis Neo

Ready to see more green with your fungicide? See how Miravis Neo performed near you and explore local soybean trial results.

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Be on the lookout for a new disease threat: Red Crown Rot. Since it was first discovered in IL in 2017, Red Crown Rot has spread across the Midwest and KY and grown into an emerging disease threat. Unfortunately, you may not even realize it is in your fields because its foliar symptoms looks a lot like Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS).

Red Crown Rot is a soilborne disease that causes stand reduction, pre- and post-emergence damping-off and ultimately reduced potential yield. The USDA says stem symptoms begin as a darkened, maroon/brick red discoloration of the lower stem that typically begins at the soil line and extends up the stem several centimeters. Then, foliar symptoms begin appearing as interveinal chlorosis between R3-R5. It is often found on individual plants that begin to develop into larger patches within a field. Soil tillage from environmental pressures such as windy conditions can lead to the spread of infection.

What is the Difference Between SDS and Red Crown Rot?

“We’ve been dealing with SDS for close to 30 years now, whereas Red Crown Rot is somewhat new,” said Phil Krieg, Syngenta agronomy service representative in IL. “One key difference is that SDS tends to infect that seedling in cooler, wetter conditions at emergence time, while Red Crown Rot thrives a little bit better when the soil is warm.”

While SDS and Red Crown Rot both infect seedlings at planting and display similar foliar scorch, one way to scout for it is looking for the stem symptoms. Unlike the red/maroon discoloration at the soil line Red Crown Rot causes, SDS-infected stems have a normal white pith and tan/brown discolored upper roots/lower stems.

Additionally, soybeans exhibiting symptoms of SDS will likely hold their leaves until the yellowed, dead leaf material drop off, leaving only the petiole (the small leaf stem that attaches the leaflet to the main plant stem) attached to the main stem. However, plants exhibiting symptoms of Red Crown Rot will leave leaves crispy, curled and dead while remaining attached.

Protect Yield from SDS, SCN and Red Crown Rot

Saltro® fungicide seed treatment helps protect against SDS, soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and Red Crown Rot* in eligible states via a 2(ee) label recommendation for Red Crown Rot suppression. The 2(ee) label recommendation has been approved in AR, IL, IN, IA, KY, MO, OH and TN. For more information about the advantages of Saltro, reach out to your local Syngenta retailer.

*Syngenta supports a FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendation for Saltro for suppression of Red Crown Rot in AR, IL, IN, IA, KY, MO, OH and TN. Please see the Section 2(ee) recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state. The Section 2(ee) recommendation for Saltro should be in the possession of the user at the time of application.

Cover image: Red Crown Rot in soybeans. Photography courtesy of Stephanie Porter, Illinois Soybean Association.

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As you plan for next season, don’t overlook early-season diseases like Phytophthora. In 2021, 36 University Extension Plant Pathologists estimated an annual average of over 25 million bushels of soybean yield loss due to the disease1. This year, MN, OH, IA and other states reported high Phytophthora pressure, which could increase the risk of infection next year.

Phytophthora is one of the most destructive early-season pathogens and significantly limits plant stand establishment in soybeans. It not only reduces potential yield by killing seedlings and reducing the root efficiency of mature plants, but it can infect plants at any time during the planting and maturing stages, if the conditions are right.
Here are some tips to help you protect your soybean crops from heavy Phytophthora pressure:

  • Be aware: Knowing what to look for can help you minimize the damage Phytophthora causes in soybean fields. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends looking for symptoms at each season stage since the infection can occur from the beginning to the end of the growing season.
    • Early-season: Infected seedlings and plants will have stems that will likely appear bruised with yellowing leaves.
    • Mid-to-late season: Brown lesions may start to appear on the roots as they begin to rot. Leaves will continue to yellow and wilt, staying attached to the plant even after it begins to die.
  • Incorporate Phytophthora-resistant varieties: Planting Phytophthora-resistant varieties will set the foundation for managing the disease and protecting your soybean yield.
  • Review your field history: Relying on the historical data of your fields can significantly help you prepare for the yearly threats you face.
  • Use a robust seed treatment: Selecting a seed treatment that contains effective modes of action against Phytophthora and allows the establishment of seedlings and inherent native gene resistance will protect your investment.

CruiserMaxx® APX seed treatment protects against Phytophthora and other early-season insects and diseases, like Pythium. It has two highly effective Phytophthora protection active ingredients and combines proven protection with picarbutrazox (PCBX), a powerful Pythium and Phytophthora-fighting molecule.

Alt text: A bar chart showing the yield advantage provided by CruiserMaxx APX seed treatment.
Caption: 2018 Syngenta internal and external trials (TNA054A3-2018US); n=7: OH, IL, MI, KY, IA, NE, MN.

In an Ohio State University Phytophthora trial, CruiserMaxx APX was the only seed treatment to deliver a statistically different five-bushel yield advantage compared to the check treatment; the competitors included Lumisena™ and ethaboxam compounds, which did NOT beat the untreated check2.

For more information about the advantages of CruiserMaxx APX seed treatment, reach out to your local Syngenta representative.

1 Plant Health Progress 2021 Vol. 22 No.4 pp. 483-495

2 2018 Ohio State University Phytophthora trial; α = 0.05

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Warmer conditions and cooler evenings are the ideal conditions for two of the most significant lettuce diseases: powdery mildew and Sclerotinia rot. Early intervention with fungicides with multiple modes of action can reduce potential yield loss.

The University of California IPM Program cites powdery mildew, which damages leaves and reduces yield potential, as a serious threat to lettuce growers. Powdery mildew is easily identified by its characteristic white, powdery appearance on leaves, but by the time symptoms are exhibited it is often too late to prevent significant damage. Eryisyphe cichoracearum, the pathogen that causes the disease, thrives in warm, humid, and poorly lit environments. Greenhouses and lower leaves are particularly susceptible to powdery mildew. Early disease prevention is key to protecting lettuce early in the growing season.

Sclerotinia rot, commonly known as lettuce drop, may be caused by Sclerotinia minor or Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. S. minor thrives in moist conditions and infects stems at the base of the plant, causing a soft decay that destroys crown tissue. Crops infected by this pathogen will often wilt near maturity, so early intervention is essential. S. sclerotiorum, the more common pathogen, also causes lower-leaf infection but has aerial spores that infect upper leaves in cool and moist conditions. This rot occurs along with visible white mycelial growth in upper leaves. Under moist conditions, both pathogens can survive in soil for several years. The most effective protection against these diseases is a disease prevention program including multiple modes of action to fight disease resistance.

A bar chart shows improved control of sclerotinia rot in lettuce with Miravis Prime fungicide compared to untreated.
Miravis Prime fungicide offers strong control of Sclerotinia rot compared to other fungicides.

Miravis® Prime fungicide contains two active ingredients, fludioxonil and ADEPIDYN® technology, for difficult-to-control diseases in leafy vegetables. These powerful active ingredients distribute evenly across leaf surfaces to provide protection from powdery mildew, Sclerotinia rot and other yield-robbing diseases.

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The warm, humid climate in the Southeast can be a mixed bag for growers. On one hand, these conditions are ideal for producing high-yielding peanut crops. On the other, many diseases favor these conditions, creating an ongoing management challenge.

While their arrival time may vary, you can count on many of the same peanut diseases to show up year after year. Crop rotation plays a key role in white mold management, as Sclerotium rolfsii, its causal agent, remains in the soil between plantings and can quickly infest the next season’s crop. Leaf spot complex (early and late leaf spot) and Rhizoctonia are frequently found in fields as well. Without proper management, these diseases can cause poor stands and drastically lower yields, especially together.

When planning disease management programs, weather conditions are an important consideration. Tropical conditions like hurricanes can keep you out of your fields for days at a time and delay fungicide applications. Flexible solutions are necessary to produce high-yielding peanut crops in these dynamic conditions. Proven fungicides with long-lasting protection are a must.

Miravis® fungicide, powered by ADEPIDYN® technology, provides long-lasting preventive protection from disease, offering 21-28 days of control. Elatus® contains active ingredients SOLATENOL® and azoxystrobin, both of which provide preventive protection against soilborne and foliar diseases, including white mold.

When used together, Miravis and Elatus provide growers with one of the strongest long-lasting, broad-spectrum disease control options available. The ideal application time is around 60 days and again around 90 days after planting. This is the window when peanut plants are achieving their full growth potential and putting down pegs which will become pods.

Miravis and Elatus also help reduce trips across the field. A five-spray fungicide program with Miravis and Elatus provides better disease control and significantly helps increase yield potential compared to traditional six- and seven-spray programs.

A bar chart showing the value and performance delivered by Miravis and Elatus five-spray programs compared to seven-spray programs with other products.
Data based on 2019 UGA and consultant on-farm trials.

For added insurance, Alto® 100 SL fungicide is a good choice to follow a Miravis and Elatus program. A powerful triazole, Alto provides curative control of a variety of plant diseases. Alto also offers flexible application timing and is tank-mix friendly, making it a convenient option that can be used under a variety of conditions.

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Powdery mildew remains an annual issue for sugar beets. This yield-robbing disease is caused by the fungus Erysiphe betae and overwinters on Beta species, including sugar beets or swiss chard. The fungus grows over the surface of leaves and produces spores which give it a powdery appearance. These spores can be carried by wind over considerable distances and infect other plants.

The disease prefers dry, warmer weather: temperatures of 60-86oF. Temperatures exceeding 100oF can arrest disease development. If left untreated, it can yellow and kill leaves, reducing the plant’s photosynthetic capabilities which can threaten yield and sugar content. Infected leaves are also more susceptible to light freezes. Growers have seen as much as a 35% loss in sugar yield in infected fields.

It’s important to scout for the disease to catch it before it is too late. Leaves can become entirely covered in the fungus’ spores within a week of infection, so frequent scouting is key. The infection has a higher chance of taking hold and spreading during summer months, particularly in late July and early August. Here are a few tips on scouting for powdery mildew:

  • Keep the sun behind you/over your shoulder.
  • Scout the edges of the field, as this is where it typically first appears.
  • Start with the lower leaves of the canopy.
  • Pull a leaf and wrap it over your finger.
  • Look for leaves with a white to silver-gray color and the noted powdery appearance – this is how the infection first appears.
  • A musty basement-type odor in a field may be present in severely infected fields.

If you notice signs of powdery mildew, review the susceptibility of your beets to powdery mildew and recent or upcoming weather. If your beets are rated as moderate to sensitive and you’re experiencing ideal disease development temperatures, prevent powdery mildew from spreading in your field with Inspire® XT fungicide on a 10-day schedule using alternating modes of action. If your beets are resistant to powdery mildew or weather conditions are unfavorable to the disease, you can go up to a 21-day interval. Your local Syngenta sales rep can help you find the right solution for your crop.

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One of the biggest challenges you’ll likely continue to face in cereal crops this season is pest management. Overwintering insect pests like wireworms can wreak havoc on cereal and pulse crops’ seeds and seedlings. According to Washington State University, when wireworms are not controlled, they can lead to increased weed pressure and reduced stands, yields, and profit potential.

Cool, wet climates, like those common to the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains, along with low or no-tillage practices can create an environment where wireworms thrive. Wireworm larvae can live in the soil for two to five years and feed on germinating seeds and seedlings before developing into adult click beetles. A single female can lay between 50 and 350 eggs at a time before emerging from the soil and flying to nearby fields to repeat the process.

Wireworms are attracted to CO2 that is produced when seeds begin to germinate and grow. The pest can then damage seeds and roots, which has a ripple effect of poor and uneven plant stand loss, stunted growth, wilted leaves and, at the most extreme, plant death. Wireworms can cause a crop loss of 5-25%, making it vital to manage this pest to protect your crop and bottom line.

To manage wireworms, routinely scout your fields so you’re aware of the level of pest pressure. Once you identify an area you believe has wireworms, you can try using bait traps which release CO2 into the soil, similar to germinating seeds, and will attract the wireworms.

For protection against wireworms, a new insecticide seed treatment will be coming soon. Featuring active ingredient isocycloseram, an Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) Group 30, this new seed treatment will act by contact and ingestion and has no known cross resistance to other insecticides. Once available, isocycloseram will protect cereals and pulses from wireworm pressure to help support crop emergence and plant establishment.

Are you interested in learning more about isocylocersam once it is available for use? Sign up to be one of the first to learn more.

All photos are either the property of Syngenta or are used with permission.

Isocycloseram is not yet registered for sale or use in the U.S. and is not being offered for sale.

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Cropwise™ Commodity Pro, a new offering within the Cropwise digital portfolio, was created with growers in mind to address market volatility and mitigate risk.

While Syngenta crop protection products provide long-lasting residual protection and application flexibility, growers may be concerned over making the investment because of market uncertainty. Cropwise Commodity Pro can help protect the value of the premium product purchases against a drop in the commodity price during the growing season. There is no additional cost to participate in Cropwise Commodity Pro after the Syngenta products are purchased. The offering is only available through participating retailers and is applicable to corn and soybean crops grown in the Midwest and South.

Growers should feel confident in their Syngenta product purchases and how they can help crops realize their yield potential. “However, if the market should work unfavorably, meaning it takes a downward turn, then we will share in some of that risk in the form of a cash back payment with the grower,” says Eric Honeycutt, digital ag solutions marketing lead at Syngenta . “In most cases, that means up to 15% cash back if commodity prices drop.”

How Cropwise Commodity Pro Works

Syngenta conducted pilots over two years prior to the launch, according to Honeycutt. Here’s how the program works:

  1. Certain qualifications are required, such as acreage and products used. “Many products that qualify are going to be Better Yield is the Better Deal™ brands like Acuron® GT herbicide ,” Honeycutt says. Growers should check with their Syngenta representative or retailer to see if they meet offer qualifications.
  2. At the end of July, growers will be locked into the commodity price for corn or soybeans, based on their product purchases.
  3. The locked-in price will then protect qualified purchases against a drop in the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) corn or soybean commodity price later in the season.
  4. If the late-season average commodity price from August to October declines in price, participating growers will receive cash back for the percent difference in the two prices on their qualifying products, up to 15%.

It’s important to note that Syngenta is not marketing the crop on the grower’s behalf. This is an additional commodity price protection that comes with purchasing specific Syngenta premium products. Those enrolled will have access to an online portal to track their potential payout and what the market is doing.

“This is an exciting opportunity within our Digital Ag Solutions portfolio to help growers who are investing in Syngenta premium brands,” Honeycutt says. “They not only reap the rewards of the agronomic benefits in their fields, but when they take their crop to market, they can receive a potentially higher premium and higher price.”

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As more soybean growers begin planting earlier and earlier, you may be considering it for your own operation. However, the benefits of increased yield potential also bring an increased risk of disease. One to watch out for: Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS).

If SDS infects your soybeans, you may find yourself on the low side of the ROI spectrum. The University of Minnesota reports severe SDS infection can cause over 50% yield loss. And because SDS commonly infects soybeans planted in cool and wet conditions, early-planted soybeans are more susceptible to yield loss.

Regardless of your choice to plant early or later, we want to help you protect what matters most: your bottom line. While there are currently no in-season options available for treating SDS, here are some tips to protect your soybeans from it.

  • Plant in fields without a history of SDS to help limit the risk of disease infection from the cool, wet conditions.
  • Test your soil for Soybean Cyst Nematodes (SCN), a small parasite that feeds on roots and can open the door to SDS.
  • Plant SDS and SCN-resistant varieties.
  • Use a SDS seed treatment.

To help set a strong foundation for protection and growth, we recommend Saltro® fungicide seed treatment.

Saltro delivers upgraded SDS protection and robust SCN activity, without causing early-season stress, which could mean better protection for your early-planted soybeans. It also protects against Red Crown Rot**, in eligible states via a 2(ee) label recommendation for Red Cown Rot suppression. The 2(ee) label recommendation has been approved in AR, IL, IN, IA, KY, MO and TN.

Under moderate-to-high SDS pressure, Saltro delivers a four bu/A yield advantage over ILEVO®*. Talk to your retailer or Syngenta representative or visit WhySaltro.com to see local trial results and product reviews.

*U.S. trials with SDS pressure; 2015-2020. Trial locations: AR, IL, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, TN, WI. Trials with significantly different disease incidence/severity rating between Check and SDS treatment.

**Syngenta supports a FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendation for Saltro for suppression of Red Crown Rot in AR, IL, IN, IA, KY, MO and TN. Please see the Section 2(ee) recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state. The Section 2(ee) recommendation for Saltro should be in the possession of the user at the time of application.

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Tyler Harp, Ph.D., technical product lead for row crop fungicides at Syngenta , was recently interviewed by Joel Penhorwood, farm broadcaster at Ohio Ag Net, to share his tips for corn and soybean fields in 2024.

Here is a summary of Harp’s recommendations:

  • The days of making situational decisions about fungicide applications are over, no matter how wet or dry the season becomes.
  • Instead, plan on applying a fungicide with long-lasting disease control and plant-health benefits, like Miravis® Neo, Miravis® Top and Trivapro® fungicides, each year. This practice will help protect your corn and soybeans regardless of factors like anticipated weather conditions or the severity of diseases, like tar spot.
  • Years of data from across the corn belt show that yearly fungicide applications are one of the best ways to protect your investment potential.
  • Evidence from dry years like 2020 and very wet years like 2021 show that fungicides support yield preservation in both wet and dry conditions.
  • In 2023, growers who used Syngenta fungicides saw excellent results at harvest.

Steady growth in the number of fungicide-treated corn acres over the last two decades is a testament to the consistency and value of plant-health fungicides.

For more information about the benefits and tips for the proper timing of fungicide applications, listen to the full interview here.