US approves Syngenta’s bio-control nematicide

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted registration approval to Syngenta for its bio-control nematicide seed treatment that offers a unique, direct mode of action that is lethal to the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Responsible for causing annual losses of approximately $1.5 billion for growers, this pest has become a widespread problem across all major production areas in the Midwest. SCN damage is often misdiagnosed or confused with other crop protection problems and can increase disease. With SCN losses predicted to increase in the coming years, it is vital, now more than ever, to improve management practices.

“The bio-control nematicide seed treatment is highly effective against soybean cyst nematode,” said David Winston, seedcare product lead, Syngenta. “It provides instant activity from the moment of planting and offers season-long protection. As the solution growers have been seeking for years, this seed treatment nematicide complements crop rotation practices and SCN resistant varieties.”

The bio-control nematicide reduces SCN feeding and reproduction, and kills the pest via Pasteuria spp., which is a bacteria that is a natural enemy to SCN. Additionally, the nematicide boasts an excellent seed safety profile. The bio-control nematicide will be commercialized for the 2014 season with the leading insecticide and fungicide packages from Syngenta, to provide growers with protection against soybean cyst nematode, as well as insects and diseases.

Syngenta recently acquired Pasteuria Bioscience, Inc., a U.S.-based biotechnology company. Since 2011, Syngenta and Pasteuria have had an exclusive global technology partnership to develop and commercialize biological products to control plant-parasitic nematodes, using the naturally occurring soil bacteria Pasteuria spp.