Wedoany.com Report on Mar 7th, At the Commodity Classic conference, Syngenta unveiled its new soybean seed treatment, Victrato, which contains the active ingredient cyclobutrifluram and is scheduled for official launch in the 2026 growing season. This soybean seed treatment is designed to be used in conjunction with foundational fungicides and insecticides, aiming to effectively control early soybean threats such as Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS), and Red Crown Rot.
Dale Ireland, Syngenta's Seedcare Technology Product Lead, stated that Victrato, as a soybean seed treatment, enhances protection against nematodes and key diseases during the plant's early developmental stages. "Over the past 10 years, soybean planting has shifted from never being sown before corn to often being planted simultaneously or even earlier," Ireland said. "At the same time, seeding rates have significantly decreased, meaning each plant holds more value." These changes highlight the importance of protecting seedlings from early-stage pests and diseases.
Red Crown Rot, a disease of growing concern, although currently affecting a smaller area than SCN or SDS, has been identified by researchers and agronomists in more regions across the Midwest. Ireland noted that in 2025, Red Crown Rot was confirmed in 16 new counties across six states, including Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and for the first time in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The increase in detection is primarily due to heightened awareness, leading to more investigations of fields exhibiting symptoms similar to SDS.
Victrato is positioned as a higher-performance seed treatment compared to existing products like Saltro. Ireland indicated that Victrato typically costs about 10-15% more but can offer a strong return on investment in fields with disease or nematode pressure. In field trials near Hamel, Illinois, under high Red Crown Rot pressure, Victrato yielded approximately 60 bushels per acre, compared to 40 bushels for Saltro and 25-27 bushels for competitive treatments. Ireland recommends growers consider switching to Victrato when Red Crown Rot risk is confirmed or significant nematode pressure is present. "If you know there's a Red Crown Rot risk," he said, "that's when you need to switch to Victrato."
