Axial™ herbicide, the new cereals grass herbicide developed by Syngenta Crop Protection, has received registration from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Available for the 2006 growing season, Axial is registered on spring wheat, winter wheat and barley. Axial is not registered for use on durum wheat.

"We're delivering the first new tool since 2000 that provides superior broad-spectrum annual grass control and crop safety in both wheat and barley across the country. With Axial, we're raising the standard of flexibility for cereals grass herbicides," said Dan Hinderliter, cereals brand manager for Syngenta Crop Protection.

Axial is active at a single use rate against a broad spectrum of economically important grass weeds including wild oat; green, yellow and giant foxtail (pigeongrass); Italian ryegrass; Persian darnel; and barnyardgrass - making it the best choice for mixed annual grass populations. Axial also offers a wide window of application for grass weeds and crop stage. It can be applied from the one- to six-leaf stage prior to emergence of the fourth tiller on wild oat, Persian darnel and volunteer oat, and from the one- to five-leaf stage prior to emergence of the third tiller on green, yellow and giant foxtail; Italian ryegrass; barnyardgrass; canarygrass; windgrass; and wild proso millet. Axial can also be applied to both wheat and barley from the two-leaf stage to pre-boot without damaging the crop. In addition, Axial has no carryover concerns to rotational crops the following growing season and can be tankmixed with key broadleaf herbicides without compromising grass control.

"With its broad-spectrum control and wide application window on both the crop and weeds, growers can be confident Axial will deliver the results they are looking for even under tough situations," Hinderliter explained. "When Mother Nature interferes with spray timing, growers know they'll still get the control they are looking for without compromising crop safety; plus it's rainfast in just 30 minutes."

An Exciting Advance in Herbicide Technology

In addition to delivering broad-spectrum control of mixed annual grasses in both wheat and barley, Axial represents a unique, new chemical class of grass herbicides. The active ingredient, pinoxaden, is a new chemical class within Group 1 herbicides (ACCase inhibitor mode of action). To distinguish Axial from existing aryloxyphenoxy propionate (FOP) and cyclohexanedione (DIM) herbicide classes, Syngenta has introduced the term "DEN" for this new phenylpyrazolin class of herbicides.

"We are very excited about this new chemistry," said Don Porter, Syngenta cereals herbicide technical brand manager. "While we don't claim that Axial is a resistance-buster, it has shown activity on some identified Group 1-resistant biotypes. Syngenta is working with leading university researchers to develop resistance management practices that include Axial as an important tool in these best management guidelines."

The Axial registration package was submitted simultaneously to the EPA and Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and jointly reviewed by both agencies. The registration package was the first electronic submission to both agencies by Syngenta. Due to the safety profile of Axial, the EPA granted it Reduced Risk status.