Syngenta Seeds Submits EPA Applications for Two Refuge- in-a-Bag Products

Syngenta Seeds, Inc., today announced it has submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an application for the registration of its Agrisure Viptera 3220 E-Z refuge™ trait stack* and its Agrisure 3122 E-Z refuge™ trait stack*, both featuring a blended 5% refuge or “refuge-in-a-bag” component.

Once approved, the Agrisure Viptera 3220 E-Z refuge trait stack will offer growers dual modes of action on above-ground lepidopteran corn pests. This revolutionary stack includes the breakthrough Agrisure Viptera™ trait, featuring a completely new mode of action in corn with the first Vip3A insect control protein.  The Agrisure Viptera trait is the industry’s first “non-Cry” (non-crystalline) insect control protein. In addition, the stack contains the trusted and tested Agrisure® CB/LL trait, the Bt11 event, which has been protecting corn from European corn borer for more than 10 years. The Agrisure GT trait for glyphosate tolerance and the Herculex® I trait for corn borer round out this stack, which is designed specifically for areas where corn rootworm is either negligible or can be managed through crop rotation.

The Agrisure 3122 E-Z refuge trait stack will provide a 5% above- and below-ground refuge-in-a-bag option following receipt of EPA approval. Designed for areas requiring corn rootworm management, the trait stack features dual modes of action for both European corn borer and corn rootworm.

“Syngenta has been listening to grower requests for simple yet effective refuge options,” said David Morgan, president of Syngenta Seeds. “We are very excited to be advancing two true refuge-in-a-single bag options for both rootworm and non-rootworm areas. Each features multiple modes of action by target pest to guard against the development of resistant insects. These products will add more options for growers when they sit down with their dealers to discuss the right refuge plan for their operations.”

Agrisure Viptera technology is available for planting in 2011 in hybrids from the Syngenta seed brands of Garst®, Golden Harvest® and NK® and is also being made available through licensing agreements with more than 150 local and independently owned seed companies. The technology was previewed in select areas this past summer at Syngenta field trials.

The Agrisure Viptera trait is approved for cultivation in the U.S., Canada and Brazil, and is approved for import into Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.