Providing broad-spectrum insect protection while improving crop quality, yield

Cruiser^® seed treatment insecticide has received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use on peas and dry beans to guard against a broad spectrum of early season sucking and chewing insect pests. Cruiser also is labeled for use on garden beans and sweet corn within the large-seeded vegetable crop group with excellent performance in 2004.

“Cruiser offers large-seeded vegetable growers superior protection against some of the most economically important insects of peas and dry beans. It offers growers an alternative to planter-box, in-furrow and early season foliar insecticide applications,” said Jerry Johnson, crop manager for Syngenta Seed Treatment. “With the option to add a fungicide seed treatment like Apron XL^® and Maxim^® 4FS, growers are protected against insects and diseases from the start, which results in improved stand establishment, enhanced plant vigor and increased yield potential.”

Dry Bean Protection

For dry bean growers, the biggest insect threats are potato leafhopper, seedcorn maggot, beetles, wireworms and aphids. Hopperburn, caused by leafhoppers sucking juices from leaves, reduces early plant health and limits crop development. Seedcorn maggots burrow into the seed, thereby slowing emergence and reducing stand establishment. Cruiser improves stand establishment, giving growers a head-start toward a successful harvest by protecting against early season damage caused by these insects.

Defending Peas Against Insects

Pea leaf weevil is one of the most important pests of peas. The weevil destroys the growing points on the plant by attacking seedlings and eating cotyledons and lower leaves. Pea growers also suffer leaf damage from bean leaf beetle and aphids. Cruiser reduces damage by pea leaf weevils and improves stand establishment. Cruiser also limits aphid populations, reducing the chance of leaf damage and subsequent virus transmission.

How Cruiser Works

Cruiser protects against insects through both contact and stomach activity. Once absorbed through contact or feeding, the active ingredient in Cruiser, thiamethoxam, interferes with the receptors in the insect that transmit the message to feed. As a result, the insect stops feeding and the plant is protected.

Seed treatments deliver an exact amount of active ingredient to each seed and require less moisture to activate than granular insecticides. Significant damage may be done to the crop before a foliar application can be made, even if target pests are identified early. With a seed treatment, the protection is in place before the pest arrives.

Cruiser is commercially applied by certified seed application facilities at low use rates, offering added convenience compared to conventional insecticide management programs.

For more information about Cruiser, contact your Syngenta crop protection or seed treatment representative, or ask your seed dealer.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Cruiser^®?

Cruiser is a seed treatment insecticide that protects dry beans, dry peas and green peas from a broad spectrum of insect pests, including seedcorn maggot, beetles, potato leafhopper, pea leaf weevil, wireworms and aphids. By protecting the crop from the start, growers can improve stand establishment, enhance plant vigor and increase yield potential.

What insect pests does Cruiser protect against?

·          In dry beans, Cruiser protects against:

• Aphids

• Bean leaf beetle

• Mexican bean beetle

• Potato leafhopper

• Seedcorn maggot

• Wireworms

·          Cruiser defends peas against:

• Aphids

• Pea leaf weevil

• Seedcorn maggot

• Wireworms

On what crops can Cruiser be used?

In the large-seeded vegetable crop group, Cruiser is now labeled for use on dry beans, dry peas, green peas, garden beans and sweet corn. The recent registration includes the following crops:

• Bean (Lupinus species):  Includes grain, sweet, white, white sweet lupin

• Bean (Phaseolus species):  Includes field bean, kidney bean, lima bean, navy bean, runner bean, snap bean, tepary bean, wax bean

• Bean (Vigna species):  Includes adzuki bean, asparagus bean, blackeyed pea, catjang, Chinese longbean, cowpea, Crowder pea, moth bean, mung bean, rice bean, southern pea, urd bean, yardlong bean

• Broad bean (fava bean)

• Chickpea (garbonzo bean)

• Guar

• Jackbean

• Lablab bean (hyacinth bean)

• Lentil

• Pea (Pisum species):  Includes dwarf pea, edible-pod pea, English pea, field pea, garden pea, green pea, snow pea, sugar snap pea

• Pigeon pea

• Sword bean

In addition, Cruiser can be used on barley, corn, cotton, sunflowers, sorghum and wheat. Cruiser also recently received registration for use on potatoes and soybeans. Syngenta continues to pursue additional vegetable crop registrations.

How does Cruiser work?

Cruiser protects against insects through both contact and stomach activity. Once absorbed through contact or feeding, the active ingredient in Cruiser, thiamethoxam, interferes with the receptors in the insect that transmit the message to feed. As a result, the insect stops feeding and the plant is protected.

Can Cruiser be applied with seed treatment fungicides?

Cruiser is compatible with Apron XL^® and Maxim^® 4FS, allowing pea and dry bean growers to benefit from both a seed treatment insecticide and fungicide at the same time. By protecting the crop from destructive insects and diseases such as Pythium damping-off, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium and other seed-borne or soil-borne diseases, Cruiser gives crops a healthy head-start to a higher quality, better yielding crop.

How is Cruiser applied?

Cruiser is commercially applied by certified seed application facilities at low use rates, offering added convenience compared to conventional insecticide management programs.

What are the advantages of a seed treatment?

Seed treatments offer guaranteed delivery of the active ingredient to each seedling and require less moisture to activate than granular insecticides. Even if target pest infestations are identified in the field, significant damage may be done to the crop before a foliar application can be made. With a seed treatment, the protection is conveniently in place before the pest arrives.

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2003 were approximately $6.6 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).

Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using any of these products.
Apron XL^®, Cruiser^®, Maxim^® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.