U.S. EPA Registers New Touchdown Total Herbicide

U.S. EPA Registers New Touchdown^® Total™ Herbicide

Greensboro, NC (November 25, 2003) - Touchdown^® Total™ herbicide, the next generation of Touchdown* from Syngenta Crop Protection, has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Touchdown Total is labeled for over-the-top use in glyphosate tolerant soybeans, cotton and corn, and as a pre-emergent burndown treatment for both conventional and glyphosate tolerant crop systems.

Touchdown Total is a nonselective potassium glyphosate herbicide that delivers down-to-the-roots weed control. For greater convenience in measuring and tankmixing, the popular use rate is 24 oz./acre (1.5 pints). The highly concentrated formulation treats 5.3 acres per gallon, which allows growers to store, handle and apply less product.

Touchdown Total delivers broad-spectrum control of more than 170 species of weeds and grasses in 230 crops.

"Touchdown Total excels in knocking out difficult broadleaf weeds, including lambsquarters, foxtail, velvetleaf, waterhemp and both common and giant ragweed," said Chuck Foresman, Syngenta technical business manager. "In 36 head-to-head comparisons conducted by Syngenta researchers last year over the top of glyphosate tolerant soybeans, cotton and corn, Touchdown Total delivered similar levels of control to other premium glyphosate brands on 15 key weeds.

"Over the past five years, Syngenta field trials have proven Touchdown Total is a flexible herbicide solution across a broad spectrum of weeds and in a wide range of environmental and field conditions," Foresman said.

Independent research confirmed those findings. "The university researchers tell us these products are closely matched in overall performance, including crop safety," Foresman said. "Composite data on 2002 and 2003 independent and Syngenta field research show that Touchdown Total was highly effective on a broad range of weeds."

To help growers protect their seed investment, Syngenta supports Touchdown Total with a broad performance warranty under the company's Touchdown Assurance Plan (TAP).

TAP protects growers no matter what brand of glyphosate tolerant seed they plant.

New TAP elements for 2004 are:

• Capped cost weed control for no-till glyphosate tolerant soybeans

• Weed control cost-share for conventional till glyphosate tolerant soybeans

• Crop Safety Warranty

In addition, TAP provides:

• A 30-minute rainfast warranty

• Touchdown Total Warranty

• Replant Burndown Refund including Gramoxone Max

• Trait Investment Refund

• Cost-share for control of glyphosate tolerant volunteer corn.

"The cool weather and rain across most of the Midwest last spring demonstrate why growers need to protect their seed investment. A grower can buy glyphosate tolerant seeds from any seed company and be assured that Syngenta, in cooperation with the local crop protection retailer, will be there to support them," said Corey Huck, brand manager.

Syngenta has been an industry leader in addressing the problem of glyphosate weed resistance. With Touchdown Total, Syngenta will become the first glyphosate manufacturer in the United States to print guidelines for glyphosate-resistance management on the label. The "Best Weed Management" practices were developed in consultation with 15 leading weed and resistance management experts, including members of the Weed Science Society of America and the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee.

As a leader in crop protection, Syngenta has been publishing regional glyphosate resistance management guidelines for several years, advising glyphosate tolerant crop growers to rotate crops and herbicide with a different mode of action in their weed control programs. For the weed resistance guidelines, see the sidebar below. Glyphosate-resistant weeds now impact at least 10 states. Using a burndown herbicide with a different mode of action from glyphosate, such as Gramoxone Max, can help minimize selection pressure for glyphosate-resistant weeds.

For more information about Touchdown Total, visit www.touchdown-herbicide.com.

Contacts:

Mike Rubin, Gibbs & Soell

212-697-2600
mrubin@gibbs-soell.com

David Pinon, Syngenta

336-632-6000
david.pinon@syngenta.com