Meet the expert: Jeremy Fowler, Ph.D., group leader of formulation development at Syngenta.
As formulation chemists, Fowler and his team work to translate growers’ needs into physical and chemical performance metrics. That means they measure a product’s performance based on how well it meets or exceeds the needs of the customers who use them — in addition to making sure every Syngenta product is stable and robust.
Q: Growers often compare products by looking at the active ingredient. What does that comparison miss?
A: Products may share active ingredients, but the value and robustness of formulations lie in the precise balance of every component in a mixture. Without rigorous development and customer-centric design, products may lack requirements like ease of handling or flexibility in the tank. A lower price can mean a less robust product with less dependable performance.
Q: What do we mean by formulation?
A: Formulations are the detailed compositions of active and inert ingredients that make up each product on the market.
“Inert” refers to product components outside of active ingredients. They include surfactants, stabilizers, antifoams and others. Every inert ingredient in a Syngenta product has a purpose.
Q: How does Syngenta verify formulation performance?
A: Our process assesses stability across a wide range of conditions. Each final product we offer to our customers is the result of hundreds of candidates that were tested and optimized to result in the best possible product concept. When other manufacturers cut corners during the formulation process, issues often show up at application or in the supply chain. Syngenta formulations are tested to help ensure predictability in real-world conditions.
Q: Why do crop protection products contain additional ingredients?
A: Inert ingredients protect the active ingredients and help ensure performance in the supply chain, packaging and the spray tank. The chemistry in each product or combination of products in a spray tank gets very complex. We take chemical interactions into account when designing and testing products to deliver robustness and stability that our customers depend on.
Q: What does a surfactant do in a crop protection product?
A: Surfactants can serve many different purposes, including stabilizing suspended particles and emulsified oil droplets, and maintaining the microstructure needed for products to remain stable. In practice, that may mean helping spray spread and stick more evenly across leaves and enter plants more effectively.
Q: Why are emulsifiers and stabilizers important in crop protection formulations?
A: These help stabilize the active ingredients in individual products and tank mixes with multiple products. Our ease of handling and flexibility during application come from making a robust mixture that can tolerate a wide range of other components in a final tank mix.
What do we mean by robustness?
Robustness refers to the effectiveness and reliability of formulations. Products should perform consistently across real-world conditions, including storage, transportation, handling, tank mixing and application.
Q: Why do Syngenta products contain so many ingredients?
A: Our products may include dozens of inert ingredients (some contain more than 40!), but as we’ve seen, each one serves an important purpose. Industry-leading chemists and engineers balance these components with the actives to make the best possible product for the desired use.
Q: What do you think folks misunderstand about branded formulations?
A: Branded products are not just more expensive versions of other products on the market. Branded products benefit from the in-depth Syngenta development process which helps ensure robustness and performance our customers depend on.
Q: What do you wish growers knew about the formulation process?
A: Our process is customer-centric. We work together to understand the customers’ expectations. Their needs become our metrics and guide product development efforts for years. We also anticipate future needs to make sure that when products are ready for sale, they meet expectations at that time — not outdated use standards.
Knowing what’s in a formulation isn’t enough. What may look simple on the label is the culmination of years of research into ingredient interactions, storage and much more. It’s not enough for it to look right in the lab or jug — it must perform consistently in the real world. When you buy a Syngenta product, you pay for consistency and support on the rare chance that something goes wrong.
Q: What goes into developing and refining a formula?
A: Our process considers numerous long-term evaluations of physical and chemical stability. We conduct thorough application testing protocols to test each product concept under real use conditions trying different combinations of tank-mix partners, water hardnesses, temperatures and dynamic tank conditions. When others pull back on R&D and other investments, Syngenta keeps going.
Q: What role do retailers play in helping growers get the most from their crop protection investment?
A: We partner with the channel to make sure our products meet their expectations as well. Retailers understand the benefits of branded Syngenta products compared to others on the market and act as additional brand ambassadors helping guide growers toward the products that help them do their job more effectively.
Crop Protection Glossary
Active ingredient (A.I.): The ingredient(s) that act on the target pest, weed or disease.
Inert ingredient: Product components outside the active ingredient, including surfactants, stabilizers, antifoams and others.
Formulation: The precise balance of active and inert ingredients that determine how crop protection products behave.
Surfactant: An inert ingredient that helps stabilize droplets and particles in a chemical mixture. Can also help different products be stable together in tank mixes.
Emulsifier: A class of surfactant that stabilizes oil droplets in water-based systems, makes stable emulsions.
Stabilizer: A more general term for anything that helps support the various stability criteria, both chemically and physically.
Antifoam: An inert ingredient that helps control foam in the tank so the product mixes, handles and applies more consistently.
Microstructure: The arrangement of particles, droplets and ingredients within a formulation that helps the product stay stable and perform as intended.
Ag Education Opportunities for Growers
Whether you’re new to managing a farm operation or well-weathered, there’s always room to grow. There’s so many continuing education opportunities across the agriculture industry to keep your skills fresh — and learn new ones to take your farm to the next level.
General business
These courses reinforce essential skills for managing and scaling your operation, including:
Business analysis
Entrepreneurship
Business plan creation
Human resources
HR skills can be just as important, especially as your team grows. HR courses help you:
Understand applicable employment laws
Effectively manage employees
Be a better communicator
Accounting
Even if you have an accountant, it’s important to have a solid understanding of your ledgers. Accounting classes can help you:
Balance sheets
Understand liabilities
Measure and manage financial health and ROI
Seek Out a Meaningful Mentorship
Farms are complex, multi-faceted businesses. Mentors can offer perspective through challenges and help evaluate the ins-and-outs of your operation.
Mentorship matters: A strong mentor could share valuable knowledge and offer constructive feedback, plus help you gain confidence and troubleshoot obstacles.
Choose a mentor: Choose a mentor who shares similar goals, passions and an operation similar to yours.
Mentorship programs: There are many mentorship programs offered through your local Extension office, Farm Bureau and local or national professional agriculture associations.
Gain On-farm Experience with an Apprenticeship
For young, aspiring growers, apprenticeships are a great way to gain on-farm experience and understand how a career in agriculture can take shape.
Apprenticeships often provide on-the job-training. If you want to own an operation one day, an apprenticeship can give you a deep understanding of what it takes to manage a business.
Find an apprenticeship: You can search for agriculture apprenticeships through ApprenticeshipUSA. If you know who you’d like to work with, ask if they offer or would consider offering an apprenticeship.
Learn Transferrable Skills at a Trade School
Learning a trade is not only useful for a career but can be transferrable to
the farm. Consider the below trades as skills that can contribute to farm management and may provide opportunities for an additional source of income.
Welding: Welding is extremely useful when it comes to equipment and general repairs — you also learn the essentials of shop safety which helps prevent hazards.
Mechanic: Mechanic skills can help reduce repair bills and equipment downtime which are essential to keeping planting and harvest on track.
Electrician: Today’s operations rely heavily on power for equipment and automation. Electrical skills can keep facilities and equipment like pumps and pivots operational.
Keep Growing in Leadership Programs
Leadership programs are a good way to gain skills, build your network and contribute to industry change.
Commodity organizations: The National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association offer leadership programs. Check in with
all the commodity organizations you’re a part of to see what they offer.
Extension Services: Many Extension offices offer leadership programs tailored to the agriculture interests in the area. Ask your local Extension
office if an opportunity is available in your state.
Farm Bureau: Your state Farm Bureau Federation may offer a leadership program. The American Farm Bureau Federation also offers programs tailored to women’s leadership, young farmers and advocacy.
Learning is lifelong!
Pursuing additional education and leadership opportunities can help growers sharpen skills, deepen networks and grow their businesses.
The Better Yield is the Better Deal™ In Action initiative gives growers a low-risk opportunity to trial top products and build partnerships on their own ground.
4.4 out of 5 growers say trials drive input decisions.
The Better Yield is the Better Deal In Action initiative gives growers a low-risk way to trial performance-driven products on their own fields.
Each trial tests a Syngenta program against a grower’s typical lineup so they can see the Syngenta difference — in their fields, on the yield monitor and
in the ledger.
But the initiative yields more than data. Better Yield is the Better Deal In Action is the start of a partnership that helps support growers season after season.
Step 1: It starts with a conversation
Every trial is built around the grower’s operation. Programs are tailored to the individual farm — not one-size-fits-all. Syngenta reps work with growers to identify product lineups unique to their needs.
- Field history & conditions
- Crop type & pressure points
- Yield goals & priorities
Step 2: Put it to the test
Growers run a Syngenta program alongside their current lineup while farming as usual to compare performance.
- Normal operations
- Trial products applied
- Ongoing rep check-ins
Step 3: Support when it matters most
Reps stay connected throughout the season — helping monitor conditions and respond when challenges arise.
- Field visits
- Disease & pest monitoring
- Fast decisions
Ben Van Roekel (also known as agriculture influencer @iowANFarmer) says that his rep, Zack Leist, was on the farm every few weeks. When disease pressure took a turn, they knew the fields, knew the products and most importantly, knew what to do.
“On July 7th, we found tar spot, Northern corn leaf blight and Southern rust, which was crazy early for us. Luckily we were able to get an application down right away. Timing was pretty much spot on.”
Zack says it’s about opening the door to long-term success, and it’s the most rewarding part of the experience.
“You always have the relationship after the trial. You learn together, and you help them understand why our portfolio is delivering results. The most rewarding part of the season is showing performance differences and helping raise yields for the people we care about — the participants.”
Step 4: It’s not over after the trial
The support doesn’t end at harvest. The Better Yield is the Better Deal In Action initiative helps build lasting relationships between growers, retailers and reps.
- Trusted local support
- Shared insights & learning
- Ongoing guidance
Step 5: Results that drive what’s next
Real performance leads to real decisions. Seeing local results firsthand gives growers confidence moving forward. In a post-trial survey, 88%1 of growers said they’d use a Better Yield is the Better Deal product the following year.
“I got to see the newest herbicides and test them in the same field against competitors. They stacked up good against the competition.” – Brady B., trial participant
“The fungicide lasted longer and protected the crop more than the competitor. We’re happy with the results and we plan on adjusting our program accordingly.” – Brandon L., trial participant
“Good support and guidance on the testing. Good results on disease prevention and weed control.” Stephen S., trial participant
Want to see for yourself?
You can see local results firsthand by exploring our interactive map of Better Yield is the Better Deal In Action trial data. Find your region, click through individual trials and see which products earned their place in real programs, on real farms.
Learn how our partnership with growers evolved to help them make sound decisions for their operations.
A Silver Anniversary
2026 marks 25 years of the AgriEdge® dedicated agribusiness partnership! To celebrate, our grower partners shared how our collaboration has benefited their operations.
“AgriEdge has led me in the direction of some good products over the years. It also has given me some direction to knowledgeable people when assistance is needed.”
Dave McNealy, Nebraska AgriEdge partner for 7 years
“I appreciate how the program and Syngenta have come alongside us and been a partner to us. They make sure they understand what’s happening in the fields on our operations, how we function and how we do things.”
Shawn Feikema, Minnesota AgriEdge partner for 1 year
AgriEdge From Coast to Coast
AgriEdge growers are located across America. This map was generated based on the general locations of 280+ AgriEdge grower survey respondents.
Survey of 280 AgriEdge Growers conducted in 2025
“It has been a good partnership. I appreciate the regular updates and having access to people that can help us with any issues that come up.”
Barry Kagay, Missouri AgriEdge partner for 10 years
“I would describe the partnership as simple, innovative and organized. I’m really happy with how Cropwise lays everything out, and our AgriEdge specialist is great.”
Jake Steinbeck, Iowa AgriEdge partner for 10 years
AgriEdge Helps Support Better Decisions
How do growers describe our partnership? This word cloud was compiled based on the responses of more than 280 AgriEdge growers.
“They’re always willing to help us level up as an organization and we really view the team at Syngenta as a partner. Robbie, Lenore and several other folks from Syngenta have taken the time to walk the fields with us. They’re always there and we really do feel that support from the team.”
Cameron Boomgaarden, California AgriEdge partner for 6 years
“This program has helped me to see our cost per acre in our farming operation, making it easy to make good business decisions.”
Ron Wingfield, Ohio AgriEdge partner for 7 years
Years of Partnership
On average, growers and retailers have been a part of the AgriEdge partnership for eight years. This chart shows how long AgriEdge survey respondents have been partners.
Data from 280+ AgriEdge grower survey respondents.
“The technology offered has gone from simple data entry to a full-fledged sustainability and record-keeping machine. It’s been exciting to watch it evolve and improve over the years.”
Will Morris, Wisconsin AgriEdge partner for 10 years
To see more AgriEdge stories, visit www.Syngenta-US.com/AgriEdge/Stories
The Outbreak Outlook
Red Leaf Blotch: An Invisible Enemy
What is Red Leaf Blotch?
A Hidden Early-Season Threat
- Fungal leaf disease caused by Polystigma amygdalinum
- Infects young leaves early in spring
- Symptoms appear 35–40 days later
- No control possible once symptoms are visible
If you can see RLB, it’s already too late
What Does RLB look like?
- Early Signs: Small yellow spots on leaf surface
- Progression: Lesions enlarge and turn orange/reddish brown; blotches merge and cause leaf curling, scorching and early drop
- Impact: Weakens tree canopy and reduces photosynthesis
- Infected leaves fuel next year’s infections
Why RLB Detection and Treatment Matters
Early Infection Leads to Long-Term Damage
- Causes premature leaf drop
- Reduces photosynthesis and energy storage
- Stresses trees and reduces quality almond yields
- Risks future profit potential
Where is RLB?
New to the U.S. and Moving Fast
- Seen in Spanish orchards as early as 1927, with a historical presence in the Mediterranean and parts of the Middle East
- First detected in California in 2024, likely introduced through infected plant material
- Has spread quickly from Merced and Madera counties to all major almond-producing counties in California
- If you see RLB pressure this year, expect more next year!
How It Spreads
RLB’s Cycle Works Against You
- Overwinters in infected leaf litter
- Spring rain releases new ascospores at bloom
- Spores then infect new leaves, continuing its cycle
- Long latency period (35–40 days) hides infection until damage is already done
Timing is Everything
Why Prevention is Crucial:
RLB is monocyclic, meaning there’s only one infection cycle per season — if you miss it, you miss your control window. Fungicides can’t cure infected leaves, and protection must be in place before infection.
How to Prevent RLB
Why An Integrated Approach Is Your Best Bet
Cultural Practices
- Managing infected leaf litter
- Speeding up leaf breakdown with zinc + urea
- Cleaning equipment between orchard passes
Critical Fungicide Timing
- Petal Fall: Apply Miravis® Prime fungicide now to dial up your RLB defense. This is a crucial step to help prevent infection!
- Post-Petal Fall: Apply Miravis Duo or Quadris Top® fungicide 2–3 weeks post-petal fall to help maintain RLB protection.
- Follow-Up Spray: For high-risk orchards, a third application is recommended (~5 weeks post-petal fall)
The Bottom Line
Early Action Helps to Protect Yield
Protecting almonds early with a powerful preventive fungicide program and smart management practices is a way to preserve tree canopy, support almond yield and your orchard’s longevity.
Red Crown Rot (RCR) is a soilborne disease that initially appears as yellow speckling in leaf canopy and is often confused as Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). RCR is caused by Calonectria ilicicola, a pathogen that can infect more than 110 other plant hosts. Severe RCR infections can lead to yield losses of over 50%.
Use the guide below to help protect your beans from this destructive (and difficult-to-diagnose) disease!
Initially impacting regions with peanut rotations, RCR was first confirmed in U.S. soybeans in North Carolina in 1972 and later in Louisiana and Mississippi in the late 1980s and early 1990s (though it never reached significant levels at the time). Then in 2017, pathologists identified the disease in several western Illinois fields, where yield losses of more than 25 bushels per acre suggested it had gone undetected for multiple seasons — due to its patchy infections and look-alike symptoms. Since then, RCR has been found across the Midwest, with confirmed cases throughout Illinois and parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Infection Conditions
Ideal environment
Calonectria ilicicola lives in the soil as microsclerotia or tiny hardened structures that survive for several years without a host. They germinate in favorable conditions and infect host roots, thriving in wet soil when temperatures range from 77°F to 86°F and impacting soybeans most heavily the first three weeks of emergence. In some areas, double-crop soybeans risk developing RCR more often, likely because they are planted into warmer soil conditions. This is contrast to SDS, which prefers cooler, wetter conditions during early establishment.
Distribution and Spread
Soil movement
RCR starts with individual plants or small patches, usually appearing first at field edges, entries or heavily trafficked areas. It spreads by physical means: with soil movement, surface water movement, wind and tillage, while wind, animals and equipment disperse it further. In serious cases, where large portions of fields are affected, RCR has likely been present for years.
Early-season Symptoms
Stem discoloration
During vegetative growth, as early as V1 or V2, the only visible symptom of RCR infection is reddish discoloration at the base of soybean stems. It’s rarely found early enough to see just this symptom. But in fields with a known history of RCR, check young soybeans for reddish stems at the soil line. At this point, RCR causes stand loss and stunts plants.
Mid-season Symptoms
Foliar signs
More noticeable RCR symptoms appear during reproductive growth stages, when it affects leaves. Foliar symptoms start as small yellow or light green spots between leaf veins. These expand to interveinal chlorosis, so leaf veins stay green while tissue between veins loses color and dies. Dead leaves often remain attached to the soybean plant. However, roots can rot without foliar symptoms.
Late-season Symptoms
Spore-producing structures
Late in the growing season, small reddish or rusty-orange balls appear on lower stems. These structures, called perithecia, are key to identifying RCR. They often develop alongside white hyphae or a fuzzy white growth. By this point the canopy is deteriorating rapidly. With this loss of foliage, the yield potential is likely depressed significantly.
Accurate Diagnosis: Red crown rot or a look-a-like?
Both foliar and stem RCR symptoms mimic other soybean diseases with different management strategies. Early in the season, RCR looks like various root rots, all caused by different fungi. As infected soybeans mature, warm, wet weather triggers RCR to produce a toxin that creates common leaf symptoms. Correctly identifying diseases is key to effectively addressing the problem.
To accurately identify RCR versus other diseases, check records or try to recall early-season field conditions, soil temperatures and stem discoloration that may flag disease development during planting and emergence. But don’t play plant pathologist. For a conclusive diagnosis, submit supicious plants to your local Land Grant University plant diagnostic clinic.
Disease Management: Protecting soybean yield
Sudden Death Syndrome
RCR is most often misdiagnosed as Sudden Death Syndome (SDS). However, SDS thrives in wet, moderate soils as seedlings develop, compared to the warmer temperatures favored by RCR. Stems of SDS-infected plants will have white pith. Though seen less often, SDS also causes blue spore structures on the taproot.
Brown Stem Rot
Brown stem rot causes foliar symptoms similar to RCR. It develops under cool, wet soil conditions, often in continuous soybean fields. As the name suggests, brown stem rot causes the center of soybean stems to rot completely, leaving just the outer tissue. Cut stems open to look for this.
Stem Canker
In some regions, foliar RCR symptoms can be mistaken for stem canker, which causes patchy brown or black lesions on the outside of the stem. Stem canker develops in rainy, wet weather early in the season.
Fusarium Root Rot
Like RCR, Fusarium root rot or wilt causes overall root decay, reduces early-season stands or stunts plant growth. While they show similar foliar symptoms, Fusarium pathogens attack under long periods of cool, wet conditions starting early in the season, with infection tending to be widespread.
Rhizoctonia Root Rot
Stems infected with RCR can be confused with Rhizoctonia root rot, which causes sunken, reddish-brown lesions on young soybean stems at the soil line. Warm, wet, poorly drained soils also promote Rhizoctonia infection. However, Rhizoctonia wilts or yellows leaves and darkens leaf petioles.
Phytophthora Stem Blight
Another RCR misdiagnosis is Phytophthora stem blight, a water mold that thrives in saturated soils and prefers warm temperatures. It causes chocolate-brown lesions on soybean stems that start at the soil line and move up the plant. Leaves wilt and yellow, while staying attached to stems, eventually killing the plant. Like RCR, Phytophthora stem blight can cause plants to quickly “collapse” later in the season, leaving rapidly deteriorating plants or parts of plants.
Potassium Deficiency
RCR can be mistaken for advanced potassium (K) deficiency in soybeans, due to leaf yellowing between veins. Unlike RCR and other diseases, K deficiencies usually occur under drought conditions. Leaves start yellowing at the edges, and discoloration moves toward the center vein over time.
Resistant Soybeans
Even though soybean breeders have identified some sources of resistance to RCR, currently no commercial varieties are considered truly resistant. But because they vary their susceptibility, choose varieties that appear to handle RCR pressure better.
Crop Rotation
RCR can survive in soil for years and uses many plant hosts, so crop rotation has limited management value. In corn-soybean rotations, the rotation timing is too short to impact disease levels in the soil.
Cultural Practices
Due to the persistence of Calonectria ilicicola in soil, tillage spreads RCR. Limit potential spread between fields by planting, harvesting or working infected fields last and thoroughly cleaning equipment afterward. Minimize trips across the field and reduce tillage to slow its spread.
Chemical Defense
Some soybean seed treatments suppress RCR, protecting seedlings (most severely impacted by RCR) the first three weeks after germination. Plus, managing other soybean diseases and stresses helps minimize the impact of RCR infections, so consider protection from known issues like nematodes and other diseases and pests.
Syngenta Solutions for Red Crown Rot
Saltro Fungicide Seed Treatment
As a seed treatment, Saltro® fungicide seed treatment protects soybean seeds against SDS and soybean cyst nematode, and it also has a 2(ee) label for RCR suppression in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. It uses ADEPIDYN® technology to interrupt respiration in fungal pathogens like Calonectria ilicicola. For fields prone to RCR, treating soybeans with Saltro could help limit yield loss.
Victrato Seed Treatment
Victrato® seed treatment is the first seed treatment with a federal label for suppression of RCR as it offers a new level of protection. It also defends soybeans against multiple plant-parasitic nematode species and SDS without interfering with beneficial organisms. Featuring a new active ingredient, TYMIRIUM® technology, Victrato delivers the most robust level of protection available against diseases including RCR.
Use Best Practices: Managing Red Crown Rot
Suspect RCR in a soybean field? Check the confirmation map to see if it’s nearby. Then, work with agronomists or extension specialists to submit samples to the appropriate plant diagnostic lab. Once RCR has been confirmed, scout for symptoms, manage other crop stresses and clean equipment before moving to another field. In future seasons, consider using a fungicide seed treatment that suppresses RCR and monitor for conditions conducive to disease development.
COLOR ≠ CONTENT
To the naked eye, all treated soybean seeds may look the same — but it’s what’s inside that makes all the difference, for both your beans and your bottom line.
Let’s crunch the numbers to see how a high-quality seed treatment formulation like
CruiserMaxx® APX seed treatment can help boost your ROI.
Paying a bit more per acre on top-quality inputs like Syngenta seed treatments may sound counterintuitive in tight markets; but when you do the math, the benefits (and the extra bushels!) far outweigh the upfront costs.
Here’s why:
1. MORE PLANTS
Soybeans treated with CruiserMaxx APX have a lower replant risk, which means MORE plants emerge. When more plants emerge, you get the most value out of your seed investment.
Thanks to the powerful patented mixtures including picarbutrazox (PCBX), CruiserMaxx APX offers stronger early-season protection for vulnerable seeds and seedlings, preventing damaging diseases like Pythium and Phytophthora from cutting into your soybean stands.
DO THE MATH:
Assumptions: 155K planting population. Seed + seed-treatment costs reflect market averages.
Say you spend (per unit/acre1)
$72 with CruiserMaxx APX
$70 with competitor Acceleron® Standard F/I
If you plant 155,000 seeds/acre, then:
1) Find cost per seed1
CruiserMaxx APX: $72 ÷ 155,000 = $0.0004645
Acceleron: $70 ÷ 155,000 = $0.0004516
2) Multiply by emerged plants from the trial1
CruiserMaxx APX: $0.0004645 × 149,846 = $69.61/acre
Acceleron: $0.0004516 × 125,453 = $56.66/acre
That difference in stand translates to about a $12.95/acre ROI advantage at emergence for CruiserMaxx APX. This means you didn’t waste the seed you purchased, and you’re getting more out of your seed investment.
The calculations depicted herein are hypothetical in nature using estimated numbers and are for illustrative purposes only. Actual results will vary. Calculations are not a guarantee of similar results.
2. FASTER CANOPY
Soybeans treated with CruiserMaxx APX helps soybeans emerge faster and reach canopy closure quicker.
The exclusive Cruiser® Vigor Effect within CruiserMaxx APX is proven to deliver bigger, healthier, stronger plants that make more efficient use of sunlight, water and soil nutrients.
3. MORE YIELD POTENTIAL
CruiserMaxx APX offers a 2- to 5-bushel yield advantage over competitive seed treatment brands.
Early-season disease can start sucking yield potential from your soybeans from day one. Powerful protection from soilborne and seedborne disease results in healthier, more robust root systems. Better roots mean better growth — and better yields!
DO THE MATH:
Say the price of soybeans is:
$12/bushel
X 2-bushel advantage with CruiserMaxx APX
= +$24/acre ROI advantage, and that’s on the low end!
Say we go for the high end:
$12/bushel
X 5-bushel advantage with CruiserMaxx APX
= +$60/acre ROI advantage!
ADD IT ALL UP…
More plants + Faster Canopy
+$12.95/acre
+ 2-bushel bump
+$24/acre
= an estimated +$36.95/acre ROI advantage1,2, and that’s against competitor treatments — NOT untreated seed!
In this example hyopthetical situation, by choosing a premium seed treatment like CruiserMaxx APX, you’d only spend about $2 more per acre — and get $36.95 back.
That’s a ~18X1,2 return on investment!
THE BOTTOM LINE IS…
Not all seed treatments are created equal — and the proof is in the profitability. For premium protection that truly pays off at harvest, choose a high-quality Syngenta brand like CruiserMaxx APX.
Sources:
1Syngenta Trials in Dixon, IL; 2021.
2ROI is based on plant stand and yield calculations at an estimated 155K planting population and estimated seed/seed treatment costs based on market averages.
Acceleron® is a registered trademark of Bayer Group.
Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status.
Syngenta Crop Protection celebrates 25 years of advancements that have redefined what’s possible in agriculture. This milestone builds on a legacy that started more than 250 years ago with the founding of Swiss chemical company Geigy. From cutting-edge crop chemistries and game-changing digital tools, Syngenta innovations have empowered growers across the country and helped shape the future of food production.
Let’s take a trip back in time to see where we’ve been and where we’re headed!
Where it all began…
1758: The Swiss chemical company Geigy is founded, beginning the legacy of Syngenta — a word derived from the Greek root “syn” and the Latin word “gens” to mean “bringing people together”.
2000: Novartis and AstraZeneca merged their agribusinesses to form Syngenta, the first global company dedicated solely to advancing the world of agriculture.
The wheels of innovation begin to turn…
2001: Callisto® corn herbicide is introduced, breaking massive barriers in crop-safe weed control. The same year, the digital AgriEdge® dedicated agribusiness partnership is launched, changing the game for growers and giving them actionable data long before the days of mainstream precision ag.
2002: Syngenta takes the lead in tackling herbicide resistance in the U.S., launching the nationwide Resistance Fighter® program in response to accelerating weed resistance to herbicides.
Growing our capabilities from the ground up…
2007: The Syngenta Seedcare Institute in Stein, Switzerland opens its doors as the first global hub dedicated to advancing seed treatment science and stewardship.
Kicking pests and taking names…
2009: Avicta® Complete Corn seed treatment is unveiled, delivering next-level seedling protection from early-season nematode, insect and disease damage. That same year, Science magazine named Syngenta as a Top 20 Biotech & Pharma employer.
Avicta Complete Corn 250 is a Restricted Use Pesticide.
Smart science meets sustainability…
2013: The Advanced Crop Lab, a first-of-its kind greenhouse and research facility, opens at the Syngenta RTP Innovation Center in North Carolina. Also
in 2013, our first global sustainability initiative is launched: The Good Growth Plan.
2015: Acuron® corn herbicide hits the market after EPA registration, setting a powerful new standard in broad-spectrum weed control for American growers. Several groundbreaking products with the same novel AI, bicyclopyrone, follow suit, including Acuron GT (2021) and Storen® (2023).
2015: SOLATENOL® technology, a breakthrough SDHI fungicide that provides long-lasting control against major diseases, is launched following EPA registration; brands include Aprovia® (2016), Elatus® (2016) and Trivapro® (2016).
2018: ADEPIDYN® technology receives EPA registration as a novel AI used to develop powerful new fungicides, including Miravis® Neo, Miravis Prime, Miravis Ace and Miravis Top.
Acuron is a Restricted Use Pesticide.
Transformations & new beginnings…
2016: The Syngenta Seedcare Institute opens its expanded U.S. facility in Stanton, Minnesota, driving continued innovation in seedcare technology.
2016: Women in Agribusiness recognizes Syngenta as employer of the year, and Syngenta acquires Ag Connections, LLC to accelerate its growth as a digital solutions provider.
Leading the world in next-gen solutions…
2020: Syngenta AG, ADAMA and Sinochem merge to form Syngenta Group, a global leader in agricultural innovation with smart science at the forefront. In the same year, Syngenta Group purchases Valagro, a market-leading producer of innovative biologicals — and an industry that is poised to double in size by 2025.
2020 – 2022: Saltro®, a breakthrough soybean fungicide seed treatment, CruiserMaxx® APX soybean seed treatment, and Tendovo® broad-spectrum residual soybean herbicide receive EPA approval, giving soybean growers new tools to combat diseases, insects and weeds.
2022: Syngenta Crop Protection AG acquires NemaTrident® and UniSpore®, two next-gen bioinsecticides from Bionema Limited, a leading biocontrol developer. The Cropwise™ digital farming platform is launched, featuring tools and services that optimize the farming operation and work together on one platform.
2023: Syngenta boosts its biologicals portfolio through key investments, including the formation of Syngenta Biologicals and the acquisition of a suite of natural products from Novartis. Also in 2023, Syngenta pioneer Mary-Dell Chilton is awarded the National Medal of Technology & Innovation, celebrating her groundbreaking contributions to ag biotech.
2024: First, Syngenta teams up with Enko® to harness the power of artificial intelligence to develop precision-targeted herbicide solutions in a safe, sustainable way. Then, a pivotal strategic partnership with McDonald’s USA and Lopez Foods paves the way to producing beef more sustainably in the U.S.
2025: Syngenta collaborates with PepsiCo to set up a rewards program for growers who commit to regenerative farming practices.
2025: Two crop protection technologies are anticipated to receive EPA regulatory approval:
PLINAZOLIN® technology – Will control broad-spectrum insect pressure with no known resistance or cross-resistance to other insecticides.
TYMIRIUM® technology – Will control nematode pests and disease.
PLINAZOLIN and TYMIRIUM are not yet registered for sale or use in the U.S. and are not being offered for sale.
But the journey doesn’t stop here! In a look toward the future, Syngenta remains committed to driving bold, groundbreaking innovation that helps growers and other ag professionals thrive, while sustainably feeding the world and protecting the planet for generations to come.
Follow the future of ag with us at SyngentaThrive.com
Acuron and Avicta Complete Corn 250 are Restricted Use Pesticides. For use by certified applicators only. Growers planting Avicta treated seed are not required to be certified applicators. Avicta technology is protected by U.S. Patent No. 6,875,727.
Avicta Complete Corn is an on-seed application of Avicta Complete Corn 250 alone or in combination with sufficient Cruiser 5FS insecticide to deliver 0.25, 0.50 or 1.25 mg ai/seed insecticide.
Today’s top colleges and universities offer a wide range of ag-related majors — each tailored to fit different strengths, passions and future career paths. Take a virtual trip to campus with us to see what’s new and what’s needed for the next generation of ag experts.
Right now, the industry is facing a shortage of:
Digital Ag Experts & Data Scientists
Biochemists, Plant Biologists & Plant Pathologists
Environmental Engineers
Crop Protection Specialists
“Through programs like Future Farmers of America and Agriculture Future of America, we can see that ag education is still sought after and embraced by students. Agriculture is such an important industry, and our careers are, in part, responsible for helping to feed the world.” – Taylor Thornton, Syngenta Communications Manager
FINDING NEW NICHES
Ag is ever evolving — and so are related majors. These notable new offerings are quickly gaining momentum:
Regenerative Ag & Soil Science
Agricultural Automation & Robotics
Organic/Sustainable Food & Bioenergy Systems
Digital Agriculture & Urban Agriculture
“It’s important that we ensure agriculture-related majors and careers are accessible to people of all backgrounds and experiences, because sometimes the best perspectives and ideas can come from the most unexpected places.”
BLAZING THE BEST TRAIL
Based on current trends, industry needs and post-graduate placement statistics, these five concentrations are pulling ahead for 2025 and beyond:
- Agricultural & Biological Engineering
- Overview: Both agricultural and biological tracks apply engineering principles to solve problems and develop new technology in ag/food production and natural resource management, focusing on improving efficiency and sustainability
- Study guide: Coursework includes topics like engineering design & farm machinery mechanics, water-soil systems, renewable energy and bioprocesses; learning how to develop smarter equipment, more efficient irrigation and more sustainable infrastructure
- Why it’s an A+ move: Strong job placement potential as more farms modernize; future careers in equipment design, renewable energy and resource conservation
- Precision Agriculture & Data Science/Analytics
- Overview: In this field of study, students use technology and data analysis principles to enable data-backed decisions and systems that improve efficiency and productivity on the farm
- Study guide: Leveraging tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), remote sensing & drone/sensor applications, Internet of Things (IoT), predictive modeling and computer programming to optimize real-world ag practices and tools, from variable-rate applications and moisture mapping to automated scouting
- Why it’s an A+ move: Addresses industry talent shortage, as more operations need analysts and technicians to help reduce costs and boost yields; with AI, robotics and digital farming on the rise, students in this field of study are set to lead the next ag tech revolution
- Crop Science/Agronomy
- Overview: Students gain a foundational understanding of basic plant science, soil management, irrigation and crop production techniques, with opportunities to pursue careers both in and out of the ag industry
- Study guide: Curriculum can include plant physiology, plant genetics and breeding, weed and pest management, soil fertility, ecology, environmental studies and sustainability
- Why it’s an A+ move: High post-grad placement rate with likelihood for multiple job offers; strong crop protection industry need to combat weeds, insects, disease and climate change with sustainable solutions
- Biochemistry & Biotechnology
- Overview: This degree blends the study of chemical processes in living organisms with technological applications that leverage biological systems, setting students up for success in careers developing new seed traits and sustainable crop protection technology
- Study guide: Areas of study include molecular biology, genetics, biotech and bioinformatics, enzymology, chemical engineering and plant pathology
- Why it’s an A+ move: Rising industry need for plant scientists and biotech experts will open many post-grad doors for innovators in R&D, seed labs, regulatory and more
- Agricultural Business & Economics
- Overview: In this field of study, students learn essential business skills plus a foundational understanding of the ag industry in a rapidly evolving economy, preparing for careers that range from marketing and sales to ag policy and consulting
- Study guide: Core business fundamentals (management, marketing, finance, accounting, supply chain, etc.), agricultural economics, trade economics, trade policy and crop production, with opportunities to study ag-related sciences (plant, animal, food)
- Why it’s an A+ move: Extremely high post-grad placement; students equipped with the skills needed to manage supply chains, food security and changing regulatory policies are and will continue to be in high demand
SETTING A PATH FOR SUCCESS
For aspiring students looking to grow into a future-proofed career in ag, a few seeds of wisdom:
- Expect emerging fields like precision ag and organic systems to increase in popularity and demand
- Choose coursework that blends plant-focused science with tech or business training
- Seek hands-on internships and volunteer work for experience and insights you can take to the field
College programs with strong placement + hands-on experience = a solid pathway straight to the field — and into successful roles with innovative ag companies like ours. Visit Syngenta-us.com/careers to explore available internships and future career opportunities!
© 2025 Syngenta. Thrive® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective third-party owners.
Grab your magnifying glass — it’s time to test those ID skills! Use this guide to determine which corn disease threat you’re looking at and how to treat it.
ANTHRACNOSE
Caused by: Colletotrichum truncatum
Thrives in: High temps, wet weather
Infects at: Seedling phase or full maturity
Looks like: Long, tan to reddish-brown oval lesions, with possible raised dark spots; affects lower leaves, travels upward
Results in: Damage to leaf tissue, reduced stalk strength and yield potential
Pro tip: Reach for a long-lasting fungicide when you ID Anthracnose! In Kentucky trials, Trivapro® fungicide provided up to 42 days of residual control and added 60 bu/A over untreated1.
COMMON RUST
Caused by: Puccinia sorghi
Thrives in: Moderate temps, high humidity, heavy dew, 6+ hours of leaf wetness
Infects in: June, July
Looks like: Southern rust, but smaller, lighter pustules; more densely packed on the leaf surface
Results in: Damage to leaf tissue, reduced yield
Pro tip: Scout often and early! A preventive application of Trivapro fungicide can help protect leaf tissue and reduce yield loss.
DIPLODIA EAR ROT
Caused by: Stenocarpella maydis, Stenocarpella macropora
Thrives in: Moderate temps, wet conditions; most severe in no-till or reduce-till in corn fields followed by corn
Infects: At and up to 3 weeks post-R1 or silk
Looks like: White mold, which later turns gray-brown
Results in: Reduced grain quality, reduced yield
Pro tip: Apply Miravis® Neo fungicide at R1 to help suppress Diplodia ear rot and support healthy ear development, especially in high-residue, corn-on-corn fields.
FUSARIUM EAR ROT
Caused by: Fusarium verticilliodes
Thrives in: Warm, wet weather before harvest
Infects: Infects at silking, often after insect or hail damage; symptoms appear at R5–R6
Looks like: Scattered clusters of white to lavender kernels with brown streaks throughout the length of the ear
Results in: Increased mycotoxins, reduced grain quality, reduced yield
Pro tip: When late season-ear damage opens the door to Fusarium ear rot, turn to a R1 application of Miravis Neo fungicide, one of the few fungicides labeled for suppression.
GIBBERELLA EAR ROT
Caused by: Gibberella zeae, the teleomorph stage of Fusarium graminearum
Thrives in: Cooler conditions during silking; overwinters in soil (> 68° F for spore maturation)
Infects at: Silk
Looks like: White to pink mold at ear tip; moves towards base
Results in: Increased vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol, or DON), and other toxins, reduced grain quality, reduced yield
Pro tip: Wet weather at silking? Apply Miravis Neo fungicide at green silk to R1 to help protect corn ears and support clean, high-quality grain.
GRAY LEAF SPOT
Caused by: Cercospora zeae-maydis
Thrives in: Warm, humid weather
Infects in: June, typically in corn on corn fields
Looks like: Long, narrow, rectangular light tan lesions delimited at leaf veins
Results in: Damage to leaf tissue, reduced yield
Pro tip: Gray leaf spot reduces the photosynthetic leaf area needed for grain fill and can weaken plants prematurely. Apply Miravis Neo fungicide and remove crop residue to prevent overwintering.
NORTHERN CORN LEAF BLIGHT (NCLB)
Caused by: Exserohilum turcicum
Thrives in: Moderate to warm temps, moist conditions, extended leaf wetness
Infects: Pre-VT through senescence; rain and wind help spores spread
Looks like: Long, gray-green to tan cigar-shaped lesions form on lower leaves; travel upward through season
Results in: Damage to leaf tissue, reduced yield
Pro tip: Northern corn leaf blight can hit hard, taking out leaf area needed for grain fill. Keep plants performing with a timely tassel application of Miravis Neo fungicide.
SOUTHERN RUST
Caused by: Puccinia polysora
Thrives in: High humidity, high temperatures
Infects in: June or July
Looks like: Light orange to red-colored oval pustules, densely scattered on leaf surface
Results in: Damage to leaf tissue, reduced yield
Pro tip: Southern rust thrives in hot, humid conditions and can quickly take over the upper canopy. Protect leaf tissue during kernel fill with long-lasting residual control from Trivapro® fungicide.
TAR SPOT
Caused by: Phyllachora maydis
Thrives in: Cool, humid conditions, prolonged leaf wetness
Infects in: Late summer; can overwinter in residue
Looks like: Small, raised, circular black spots that don’t rub off; affects lower leaves first. Older leaves and stressed plants tend to be more susceptible than newer leaves and younger plants.
Results in: Damage to leaf tissue, stalks and husks, lodging, reduced yield
Pro tip: Late-season tar spot can strip leaf tissue and wear down stalks fast. Apply Miravis Neo or Trivapro at VT/R1 for strong disease control. In trials2, Miravis Neo helped deliver 245.7 bu/A compared to 216.2 bu/A untreated.
