Fulfill Insecticide Now Labeled for Additional Crops

Fulfill® Insecticide Now Labeled for Additional Crops

Greensboro, NC (March 25, 2002) Growers have a new way to help prevent aphid damage for higher quality, more marketable produce. Fulfill® insecticide, from Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration for aphid control in leafy vegetables, cole crops, cotton, hops and pecans. Registration is pending in New York and California.

Performance trials and on-farm use with other crops show Fulfill consistently provides aphid control that meets or exceeds commercial standards without flaring (increasing the population of) other pests.

Consultants and growers have often had to rely on broad-spectrum insecticides to prevent aphid infestation and damage. Too often, that limited option had led to resistance, pest flare-up and multiple applications. The active ingredient in Fulfill, pymetrozine, is a unique compound that offers a different mode of action than any other insecticide registered for use.

“Aphids have become a significant problem in vegetable crops and can build resistance to insecticides quite rapidly,” says Coby Long, insecticide brand manager with Syngenta. “It’s good for consultants and growers to have a new material with a different mode of action that won’t harm beneficial insects.”

Fulfill is also an effective rotational partner and will fit well in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Research trials show minimal impact on non-target beneficial insects or pollinators. The combination of residual control and IPM fit means Fulfill should help vegetable growers reduce the number of applications needed for aphid control without flaring other pests.

“Pymetrozine represents a new generation of crop protection products that will become increasingly important to growers,” says Long. “It’s one of several products Syngenta is developing that offers new solutions to pest control problems in vegetable crops.”

Fulfill works by quickly stopping aphids from feeding after they come in contact with or ingest the active ingredient. Feeding and plant damage stop within the first two hours after application, although aphids may be visible on treated plants for several days. Once it contacts the plant, the active ingredient in Fulfill exhibits excellent translaminar and systemic activity. This means it quickly enters leaf tissues, creating a reservoir of material that continues to be active against aphids for up to two weeks.

The Fulfill label is available both on the Syngenta web site at www.syngentacropprotection.com, and through the fax-on-demand service at 800-490-5420.

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.