Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada, November 28, 2008
Syngenta AMA Test Reveals Axial® Still an Option for Many Growers with Group 1 Resistance.
Results from the Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, Inc. AMA Test pilot program indicate that Axial® may still be effective on many fields affected by Group 1 resistance.
Many Western Canadian growers suspect that their fields have Group 1 resistance. With no way to identify the specific resistance mutations occurring in their fields, many have been forced to abandon use of all Group 1 herbicides, including Axial.
In response to this problem, Syngenta developed its new AMA Test – the only use-anytime rapid Group 1 resistance test.
In July 2008, Syngenta announced the pilot program of the AMA test, which stands for ACCase Mutation Analysis. The AMA test reveals the presence or absence of the three gene mutations that confer resistance to all Group 1 herbicides, thereby allowing growers to determine whether or not they have Group 1 resistance at the gene level and in a quantitative manner, so they can make smart weed management decisions for their fields.
This year’s pilot program revealed that Axial would still be an effective herbicide for many of the fields where resistance was suspected.
In-season testing was carried out on 65 fields, prior to treatment with any herbicide. Only fields suspected to have Group 1 resistance were tested. Of the fields tested, 31 per cent (20 fields) had no wild oats resistant to Axial. A further 44 per cent (29 fields) had low levels of resistance where Axial could still be effectively used as part of a mode of action rotation. Only 25 per cent (16 fields) had more than 20 per cent of the wild oat population resistant to all Group 1 herbicides and required alternatives.
“Testing suspected resistant plants before the season is a great tool for farmers,” says Derek Cornes, Syngenta brand manager. “All of the fields we tested were suspected to be resistant to all Group 1 herbicides, limiting the producer’s options and putting significant pressure on the remaining modes of action. In 75 per cent of the cases, we were able to recommend Axial (a Group 1 herbicide) as part of the management system. With sensible mode of action rotations, these producers can now have a sustainable weed management system.”
This initiative is part of the Syngenta ‘Great Canadian Stand’ strategy, which encourages growers to take an integrated approach to pest management, incorporating best practices and using pesticides and other technology wisely. “The successful pilot of the AMA test will allow for further expansion of the test in future years,” explains Cornes. “For 2009 our goal is to offer the test to more producers on a commercial basis. This supports the Great Canadian Stand strategy by giving growers the information they need to implement the right pest management strategies for their crops.”
Syngenta AMA Test Reveals Axial® Still an Option for Many Growers with Group 1 Resistance.
Results from the Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, Inc. AMA Test pilot program indicate that Axial® may still be effective on many fields affected by Group 1 resistance.
Many Western Canadian growers suspect that their fields have Group 1 resistance. With no way to identify the specific resistance mutations occurring in their fields, many have been forced to abandon use of all Group 1 herbicides, including Axial.
In response to this problem, Syngenta developed its new AMA Test – the only use-anytime rapid Group 1 resistance test.
In July 2008, Syngenta announced the pilot program of the AMA test, which stands for ACCase Mutation Analysis. The AMA test reveals the presence or absence of the three gene mutations that confer resistance to all Group 1 herbicides, thereby allowing growers to determine whether or not they have Group 1 resistance at the gene level and in a quantitative manner, so they can make smart weed management decisions for their fields.
This year’s pilot program revealed that Axial would still be an effective herbicide for many of the fields where resistance was suspected.
In-season testing was carried out on 65 fields, prior to treatment with any herbicide. Only fields suspected to have Group 1 resistance were tested. Of the fields tested, 31 per cent (20 fields) had no wild oats resistant to Axial. A further 44 per cent (29 fields) had low levels of resistance where Axial could still be effectively used as part of a mode of action rotation. Only 25 per cent (16 fields) had more than 20 per cent of the wild oat population resistant to all Group 1 herbicides and required alternatives.
“Testing suspected resistant plants before the season is a great tool for farmers,” says Derek Cornes, Syngenta brand manager. “All of the fields we tested were suspected to be resistant to all Group 1 herbicides, limiting the producer’s options and putting significant pressure on the remaining modes of action. In 75 per cent of the cases, we were able to recommend Axial (a Group 1 herbicide) as part of the management system. With sensible mode of action rotations, these producers can now have a sustainable weed management system.”
This initiative is part of the Syngenta ‘Great Canadian Stand’ strategy, which encourages growers to take an integrated approach to pest management, incorporating best practices and using pesticides and other technology wisely. “The successful pilot of the AMA test will allow for further expansion of the test in future years,” explains Cornes. “For 2009 our goal is to offer the test to more producers on a commercial basis. This supports the Great Canadian Stand strategy by giving growers the information they need to implement the right pest management strategies for their crops.”