Syngenta Crop Protection announces the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registrations* of LUMAX®, Lexar® and Camix® for pre-plant or pre-emergence use in sweet corn, giving growers three high-performance herbicide options that each deliver true, one-pass weed control on most corn acres. 

“We are excited to bring LUMAX, Lexar and Camix to sweet corn growers.  Until now, there have been a limited number of pre-emerge products available for use in sweet corn, making one-pass weed control difficult to achieve,” said Pat Steiner, brand manager, Mesotrione Brands.  “These brands have been quickly adopted by field corn, seed corn and yellow popcorn growers across the U.S. because of the performance and crop safety benefits they deliver.  Following a successful launch with Callisto® in sweet corn last year, we are confident that sweet corn growers who use these brands will experience the same benefits.”

LUMAX, Lexar and Camix are powered by mesotrione, the same active ingredient in Callisto, and offer unmatched, season-long performance on most of the toughest grasses and broadleaf weeds in corn coupled with exceptional crop safety resulting in increased yields that are seen at harvest.

“Mesotrione has shown exceptional crop safety and yield performance in numerous processing and fresh market sweet corn hybrids tested in both university and in-house research trials during the past several years,” said Gordon Vail, technical brand manager, Mesotrione Brands.  “The crop safety and season-long residual weed management these brands deliver are especially important in sweet corn production.  Compared to field corn, sweet corn hybrids are more susceptible to herbicide injury.  In addition, the sweet corn plant’s smaller size and slower growth delay or prevent canopy closure, allowing weeds to better compete with the crop for essential nutrients, sunlight and moisture.”

LUMAX, Lexar and Camix have been tested on many of the sweet corn hybrids available to growers.  Agricultural retailers should be consulted for use recommendations based on soil type and weed spectrum.  Camix is specially formulated for areas where atrazine use is not allowed or desired.

In addition to sweet corn, LUMAX, Lexar and Camix are registered for use in field corn, field production seed corn, field silage corn and yellow popcorn.  With multiple modes of action, these Resistance Fighter™ brands are excellent tools for managing against weed resistance controlling triazine-, ALS- and glyphosate-resistant weed biotypes.

Please visit syngentacropprotection.com to view the latest LUMAX, Lexar and Camix product labels, which include special use direction for sweet corn.  Do not apply LUMAX, Lexar or Camix to sweet corn or yellow popcorn after the crop has emerged or severe crop injury may occur. 

* LUMAX and Lexar are not yet registered for use in sweet corn in New York. 

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 2005 were approximately $8.1 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).  Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using these products.  LUMAX and Lexar are Restricted Use Pesticides.  Do not apply LUMAX, Lexar or Camix to sweet corn or yellow popcorn after the crop has emerged or severe crop injury may occur.  LUMAX®, Lexar®, Camix®, Callisto®, Resistance Fighter™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.