New seed treatment option unveiled

A joint research and development effort by Syngenta and Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD) has yielded a revolutionary new insecticide seed treatment, surpassing all current options.

Speaking on CSD’s Web on Wednesday, extension and development agronomist Rob Eveleigh said the new product, tentatively named Syn-X, has consistently offered sucking pest control similar to that of soil-applied granular insecticides but without the product handling issues.

“CSD has been trialling a range of new seed treatment candidates, trying to find something that performs as well as a granular insecticide.”

“Finally we’ve been able to come up with something that almost matches a granular product in efficacy against thrips and the longer term residual control for up to four weeks after planting,” Rob Eveleigh said.

According to CSD general manager Steve Ainsworth, the product would be popular because it avoided the safety and handling problems associated with the soil-applied granular products.

“From a practical point of view, at planting it is much easier to use seed that is coated with this product – it’s one less thing growers need to worry about.”

Steve Ainsworth said Syngenta, the developers of Syn-X, have filed for registration with the regulatory authorities and for the 2009 planting there would be a trial permit of 1000 ha.

“This year CSD will produce some Sicot 71BRF treated with this material and growers will be able to get a look at it in a high performance variety this year.”

“All going well, this product will be commercially available for the 2010 planting.”

“Growers interested in trying the product this season can contact CSD,” Mr Ainsworth said.