|
|
|
Syngenta Develops Herbicide to Control Key Broadleaf Weeds, Sedges, Grasses in Cotton, Sugarcane, Citrus and Tomatoes Syngenta Crop Protection. www.syngentacropprotection-us.com. Greensboro, NC (August 9, 2002) A herbicide that has been in development in university and Syngenta trials for years as a potential solution to many tough-to-control weeds, now has a new name: Envoke™ herbicide. Originally recognized as CGA-362 622, the active ingredient trifloxysulfuron sodium has shown exceptional results against weeds such as morningglory, sicklepod, hemp sesbania and pigweed. Currently under review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Envoke is anticipated to receive registration in time for the 2003 use season on cotton, sugarcane, citrus and tomatoes. “Envoke is a much-needed answer to many of the major weeds that have troubled cotton and sugarcane growers for years,” said Chuck Foresman, technical brand manager for Syngenta. “Prior to Envoke, there has been a real gap in many weed control programs. The introduction of this systemic and low use rate product provides a critical and necessary tool to bridge that gap.” Excellent Broad-Spectrum Control in Cotton Envoke is being tested extensively for both over-the-top and post-directed spray applications in conventional and herbicide-tolerant picker cotton. Test results indicate that applications to cotton at the five-leaf stage and later are most beneficial. In both conventional and herbicide-tolerant varieties, Envoke has provided very effective control of several morningglory species, sicklepod and hemp sesbania, as well as suppression of yellow and purple nutsedge. “Envoke is a highly active compound with low use rates,” said Dan Reynolds, professor of plant and soil sciences at Mississippi State University. “It is very active even on large weedy species, highly effective on morningglories and sicklepod and has overall good crop tolerance. “Envoke gives producers another option for troublesome broadleaf weed species, such as the morningglory and cocklebur complex. It’s also important from a resistance management standpoint in that it provides an additional mode of action to introduce in Roundup Ready® and BXN® systems,” Reynolds added. In the western Cotton Belt, researchers have had promising results with their weed control. “Envoke has very good nutsedge suppression and also does a good job on our broadleaf weeds, including morningglories and pigweeds,” said Bill McCloskey, professor and weed control specialist with the University of Arizona. “That kind of broad-spectrum control is intriguing because it’s a broad enough spectrum that it’s competitive with glyphosate. “Because Envoke is a low-rate herbicide, growers can reduce the pounds of herbicide they’re applying each year and meet the EPA’s goal of reducing the total amount of herbicide applied. The low rates also reduce exposure for applicators and handlers,” McCloskey explained. Low-Rate Weed Control in Sugarcane Envoke also is being tested for use as an early post over-the-top application on ratoon cane. Post-directed applications on both plant and ratoon cane have demonstrated effective control of grasses, sedges and broadleaf weeds. Later applications, using methods such as at layby, have proven effective, as well. In addition, Envoke has been tested as a tankmix with atrazine and has demonstrated desirable, broad-spectrum control of the key weeds in sugarcane, including broadleaf panicum, itchgrass, yellow and purple nutsedge, spiny pigweed, alligatorweed and morningglories. “We’ve been testing Envoke for about five years in sugarcane. It has good post-emergence activity on morningglories and good control of some problem grasses like seedling Johnsongrass and itchgrass,” said Ed Richard, research agronomist with USDA-ARS in Louisiana. “It provides key weed control at extremely low rates, which is a big plus from an environmental standpoint because we’re using such small quantities of herbicide to get activity on these weeds.” Extensive Weed Control Spectrum Envoke is seeking registration on a broad spectrum of troublesome weeds in cotton and sugarcane, as indicated in the following table. Weed Spectrum of Envoke · Alligator weed · Broadleaf panicum · Cocklebur · Coffee senna · Common cocklebur · Cutleaf evening primrose · Florida beggarwood · Flatsedge · Guineagrass · Hemp sesbania · Horse purslane · Itchgrass · Ivyleaf morningglory · Johnsongrass (seedling) · Lambsquarters · Pitted morningglory · Purple nutsedge · Redroot pigweed · Palmer pigweed · Purple moonflower · Red morningglory · Scarlet morningglory · Sicklepod · Smooth pigweed · Spiny pigweed · Tall morningglory · Tall pigweed · Yellow nutsedge Syngenta Crop Protection also is developing Suprend™ herbicide, a premix of Envoke and Caparol®. Registration of Suprend is anticipated during 2003. Contact your extension agent or Syngenta sales representative for further information. Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness. The company ranks first in crop protection, and third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2001 were approximately US $6.3 billion. Syngenta employs more than 20,000 people in over 50 countries. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative Research and Technology. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange and in London, New York and Stockholm. Further information is available at www.syngenta.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as “expect,” “would,” “will,” “potential,” “plans,” “prospects,” “estimated,” “aiming,” “on track” and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This release does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore. Envoke™, Suprend™, Caparol® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. BXN® is a trademark of Aventis. Roundup Ready® is a trademark of Monsanto Company. Envoke herbicide is not yet registered for use or sale in the United States. Contacts: Barbara Blackney Kerry Brooks
|