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Acuron corn herbicide receives federal EPA registration

  • U.S. EPA approves new Syngenta herbicide with new active ingredient offering improved efficacy for difficult-to-control weeds, a true step change in weed management
  • Uses four active ingredients including new bicyclopyrone, and three complementary modes of action to target difficult broadleaf and grass weeds current products are missing
  • Bicyclopyrone allows reduced rates of certain herbicides, while meeting stringent health and environmental safety standards
GREENSBORO, N.C., USA – Growers looking to control difficult weeds like waterhemp, giant ragweed and Palmer amaranth will have access to Acuron™ corn herbicide from Syngenta, now that it has received registration from the federal EPA.

Glyphosate weed resistance is expanding rapidly and infestations of broadleaf weeds in corn are up 50 percent in the last four years*. Research shows that four out of five farmers are actively seeking new products, with the main reason to achieve better weed control**.

Newly approved Acuron has been shown to control 70-plus weeds, including broadleaf and grass weeds like Palmer amaranth, marestail, giant ragweed, kochia, morningglory and waterhemp. These weeds have become particularly hard for growers to manage.

“Current herbicides are losing effectiveness, and it’s not unusual for us to see growers spending as much as $60 per acre or more on herbicides for corn,” says Gordon Vail, Ph.D., technical product lead for Syngenta. “The best strategy in this scenario is to use a high-performing pre-emerge herbicide like Acuron that will stop weeds before they start, and we’re excited we can now offer it to growers.”

Palmer amaranth, which produces up to 100,000 seeds per plant and can grow as fast as 3 inches per day, has been a serious challenge for growers with its ability to bring about yield losses of more than 90 percent in corn***. Acuron has been shown to outperform competitive products on Palmer amaranth and other difficult weeds.

What makes the herbicide so effective is the novel chemistry bicyclopyrone, which complements the other three active ingredients in the premix to target a wider range of weeds than previous products. The four active ingredients and three modes of action in Acuron deliver a multi-targeted approach to weed control, while reducing the overall rates of certain herbicides.

“Early-season weed management is a critical component in helping growers stay ahead of weeds,” says John Foresman, product lead for Syngenta. “Today’s growers are seeking herbicides with multiple modes of action and active ingredients to control the most yield-threatening culprits. At the same time, they’re also looking for residual weed control that will be effective over the length of the season. Acuron brings a new level of control to the mix, and it’s that combination of power, dependability and flexibility that sets Acuron apart.”

As one of six commitments of The Good Growth Plan announced in September 2013, Syngenta is committed to making crops more efficient with a goal of increasing the average productivity of the world’s major crops by 20 percent without using more land, water or inputs. Syngenta believes the better level of weed control made possible by Acuron will be a critical component in helping farmers manage their operations and make corn production more sustainable.

“We’re setting a new standard for weed control that will help growers reduce their weed seed bank and allow them to keep their fields clean now and in the future,” says Scott Cully, research and development (R&D) scientist for Syngenta. “At the end of the day, managing problem weeds can lead to higher yield potential, giving growers more bushels to sell after harvest.”

State registrations for Acuron are still pending, and supplies for 2015 will be limited. For more information about Acuron herbicide, visit www.acuron-herbicide.com. Join the conversation online – connect with us at social.SyngentaUS.com.

About Syngenta
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 28,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers, we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us, please go to www.syngenta.com.

*2013 Syngenta market research: cocklebur, kochia, marestail, morningglory, ragweed (common, giant), waterhemp (common, tall)
**2014 Syngenta market research
***2013 Purdue Extension research

Media Contacts:
David Piñon
336-632-7504
david.pinon@syngenta.com

Mary Rebecca Harakas
919-870-5718
mrharakas@gscommunications.com

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©2015 Syngenta, 410 Swing Road, Greensboro, NC 27409. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some crop protection products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Acuron is a Restricted Use Pesticide. Acuron™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.