This winter will mark the beginning of a new era in Australian cereal production, with Victrato seed treatment hitting the market.
Used for the control of fusarium crown rot and management of root lesion nematodes, Victrato has been widely trialled in small plots over the last five years to assess yield benefits.
Syngenta Seedcare product lead Katie Slade said the anticipated launch will redefine attitudes.
“Rarely as an industry do we have the opportunity to help growers drastically change the outlook for their crops on a scale like this,” she said.
“There are many agronomists – too many to name here – to whom we are grateful for their support in our journey with Victrato, powered by tymirium technology.
“We are just as excited to see the first batches of commercially treated seed with Victrato with supplies ready for distribution the moment we gain APVMA registration,” Ms Slade said.
Victrato seed treatment is a first for control of crown rot, protecting emerging seedlings against the disease as they grow through the stubble of previous crops.
Syngenta technical services lead for Seedcare Dean Hancock said protection against fusarium infection has, in four-out-of-five trials, resulted in a positive return on investment.
“Unlike other seed treatments, which only offer suppression, Victrato has demonstrated a step up in performance significantly reducing all disease symptoms while increasing yield and grain quality,” Mr Hancock said.
Crown rot trials demonstrated losses can be experienced even in the absence of basal browning and white heads but with Victrato, an average wheat yield improvement of 462kg/ha across 125 trials was recorded.
Mr Hancock said predicta B testing is a valuable tool even when visual symptoms aren’t common.
“What we’ve observed through our extensive trial program is that yield impacts can be experienced even in the absence of basal browning and white heads.
“This means that inoculum loads could be allowed to grow year-on-year, when Victrato could be a helpful part of your paddock plans.”
Victrato seed treatment will be registered with a label rate of 200-400mL per 100kg of seed in wheat and barley providing growers with flexibility dependent on disease scenario.
Syngenta ANZ country head David Van Ryswyk said the arrival of Victrato had generated excitement across the Australian wheatbelt.
“This is a hugely significant product not only for Syngenta but for an industry that has lived through decade upon decade of challenges with crown rot,” he said.
“At last we have a solution that’s easy to use at the start of the season, yet importantly provides great protection against the disease and associated impacts on yield weights and quality,” Mr Van Ryswyk said.
He credited the success to everyone at Syngenta, especially the Seedcare team and industry experts.
“This fantastic result speaks to the legacy of our colleague Ken McKee who sadly passed away last year - his leadership of field development was instrumental in making Victrato a reality.”
