Source: Syngenta Crop Protection

1. What is the Syntinel™ RustTracker?

Syntinel RustTracker is an innovative, award-winning Geographical Information System (GIS) that allows growers access to maps with AccuWeather.com® NEXRAD radar, wind speed and direction, information from university sentinel plots and Syngentaexclusive spore traps from across the country. RustTracker is used as a tool that
integrates rust spore-tracking, key weather conditions and rust disease mapping.

Within the Web site www.soybeanrust.com, registered users not only have the opportunity to utilize RustTracker, but also obtain the latest rust news and information.

2. What kind of information is available from the Syntinel RustTracker?

RustTracker provides: GIS-based, up-to-date weather information; soybean rust spore detection, tracking and any locations of rust disease infestations.

3. Has the Syntinel RustTracker system been modified for 2006?

Two notable advanced technologies were added for the 2006 season. New Satellitebased Infrared Remote Sensing crop images are being used to monitor crop growth and development during the season, giving an aerial view of a grower’s fields and region. Remote sensing images show differences in plant vigor compared within a field and to other fields in the area.

In addition, a Site-Specific Soybean Crop Model forecasting system is helping forecast a grower’s crop stage and yield tailored to their local field conditions for better scouting activities and application timing. A grower is able to input agronomic information such as planting date, maturity group, soil type, irrigation, and seeding rate thus tailoring the growth and yield forecast to their farm’s growing conditions. This allows for gauging inseason how a field is progressing and where it stands on maturity and grain yield.

Syngenta has also implemented Syntinel RustTracker Alerts to warn growers if suspected or confirmed rust spores come within a 150-mile radius of their farm.

4. What are Syntinel™ RustTracker Alerts? How do I start receiving them?

Syntinel RustTracker Alerts are designed to inform users if suspected or confirmed rust spores are detected in a Syntinel spore trap or if the disease is found on a plant host within a 150-mile radius of a user’s field.

To receive Syntinel RustTracker Alerts, simply click on the Alert link on the soybeanrust.com homepage. You must select this option to receive the Alerts even if you’ve already registered to receive soybean rust e-newsletters.

5. What do the different colors on the Syntinel RustTracker maps mean?

Rust location information is indicated by a variety of symbols on the map:

• Red Triangle: Confirmed Asian soybean rust (ASR) spores have been detected in a Syntinel spore trap.
• Yellow Triangle: Suspected ASR spores have been detected in a Syntinel spore trap.
• Green Triangle: ASR spores were not detected in the trap.
• Red County: The USDA has confirmed ASR disease in a sentinel plot, soybean field or leguminous plant (such a kudzu) in that county.
• Red-Striped County: ASR disease has been detected in a county but the rust infection was destroyed.
• Green County: County is ASR disease free.

6. How timely is the data on the Web site?

The weather portions of this site are near real-time feeds that are updated once an hour. Rust tracking data is posted every one to three days and even more frequently if rust severity in the area is high. This information is fed directly from the USDA. Information from Syntinel spore traps will be posted as soon as it is available.

7. How does the sentinel information differ from the Syntinel RustTracker?

Sentinel plots report the presence of rust disease on soybean plants, which are grown in special small plots and are monitored approximately every three days, or more often if rust spores are detected in the area. The information is reported to the USDA database. The Syntinel RustTracker reports the presence of suspected or confirmed rust spores, which can act as an early warning system, alerting growers that rust spores have been
detected in the area and that they should increase their scouting.

8. How many spore traps have been set up in 2006, and where are they located?

For the 2006 season, at least 2 spore traps per soybean-growing state have been set up. Spore traps are custom-designed traps placed in locations throughout the country and monitored by university scientists. They can detect spores in the air and collect samples for lab analysis. The Syntinel trap network, exclusive to Syngenta, is monitored every two to three days and more frequently when rust is suspected.

9. What does it mean if spores are found in a spore trap?

University researchers collect the slides from the trap and send them to an independent university research facility for analysis. The slides are visually examined for spores containing characteristics of ASR. If the slide contains more than 40 spores, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test will be run to attempt to positively identify the spores as ASR. If there are not enough spores to run the PCR test, the trained researchers will visually identify the spores as “suspected” ASR spores.

10. If spores are found does that mean the disease will develop in the area?

No. Just because soybean rust spores are discovered in a specific location does not mean that the disease will develop. Weather conditions must be favorable for disease development. Instead, the traps should be used as an indication that rust spores are in the area triggering heightened scouting of sentinel plots and fields with increased attention to the Syntinel RustTracker system.

©2006 Syngenta. Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., Greensboro, NC 27409.

The Syntinel RustTracker system is provided without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent possible pursuant to applicable law, Syngenta disclaims all warranties, expressed, implied or statutory, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Syngenta does not warrant or make any representations regarding the use, validity, accuracy or reliability of, or the results of the use of, or otherwise respecting the Syntinel rust tracking system.

Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using these products.

Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. warrants that its products conform to the chemical description set forth on the products’ labels. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SHALL APPLY TO SYNGENTA’S PRODUCTS. Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. neither assumes nor authorizes any representative or other person to assume for it any obligation or liability other than such as is expressly set forth herein. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL SYNGENTA CROP PROTECTION, INC. BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OR HANDLING OF ITS PRODUCTS. No statements or recommendations contained herein are to be construed as inducements to infringe any relevant patent now or hereafter in existence.

Syntinel™ RustTracker and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. For more
information, visit: www.soybeanrust.com.