Omega® Fungicide Registered on Potatoes and Peanuts

Omega^® Fungicide Now Registered on Potatoes and Peanuts

New Fluazinam Product Promises Control
of Both Late Blight and White Mold

(Greensboro, NC, August 23, 2001) Syngenta offers a new “multi-site” chemistry for control of two serious, yield-reducing diseases. Omega® 500SC fungicide has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for control of white mold (Sclerotinia minor) on peanuts and white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) and late blight (Phytophthora infestans) on potatoes.

Omega, a broad-spectrum fungicide, contains the active ingredient fluazinam. The unique activity of fluazinam allows for effective control of white mold, late blight and other diseases at much lower use rates than most other contact fungicides.

“Omega is unique because it stops the fungus in two ways-by inhibiting its respiration and by reducing energy within the fungus, which reduces spore germination,” says Fred Yates, Syngenta fungicide brand manager. “This multi-site mode of action is a significant advantage for the fungicide, making development of resistant strains extremely unlikely.

“Omega’s activity against the spore stage successfully isolates the disease lesions and prevents fungal spread to other foliage or to tubers,” according to Yates. “The exceptional field performance can also contribute to better persistence and rainfastness than competitive products.”

Because Omega is a non-systemic protectant fungicide, the first application must occur prior to the onset of disease. Applications should be made at 10- to 14-day intervals. If disease pressure is high, the interval may be shortened to 7 days, but no more than 10 applications should be made per crop.

Syngenta is committed to assisting peanut and potato growers succeed with proven solutions including Omega fungicide, plus the following additional solutions.

Potato Solutions

· Bravo® fungicide

· Maxim® MZ seed treatment fungicide

· Mertect® 340-F post-harvest fungicide

· Quadris® fungicide

· Ridomil® Gold fungicide

· ActaraTM foliar insecticide

· Ambush® insecticide

· Agri-Mek® miticide/insecticide

· Fulfill® insecticide

· PlatinumTM soil insecticide

· Dual II MAGNUMTM herbicide

· Eptam® herbicide

· Reglone® herbicide

Peanut Solutions

· Bravo® fungicide

· Tilt® fungicide

· Tilt®/Bravo® fungicide

· Abound® fungicide

· Ridomil® Gold fungicide

· Dual MAGNUM™ herbicide

· Gramoxone® Max herbicide/Cyclone® Max herbicide

· Touchdown® herbicide

· Karate® insecticide

Syngenta is a world leading agribusiness. The company ranks first in crop protection, and third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Pro forma sales in 2000 were approximately US $6.9 billion. Syngenta employs more than 20,000 people in over 50 countries. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative Research and Technology. Formed in November 2000 by the merger of Novartis Agribusiness and Zeneca Agrochemicals, Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange, and in London, New York and Stockholm.