Greensboro, North Carolina
June 23, 2009
This season marks the 50th
anniversary of atrazine, one of the most valuable crop
protection products ever developed. Throughout these years,
growers have relied on atrazine for efficient, cost-effective
control of a wide range of broadleaf weeds and grasses.
“Time has proven that atrazine is one of the most reliable,
flexible tools growers can use to protect crops from
yield-robbing weeds,” said Chuck Foresman, technical brand
manager for
Syngenta. “Well over half the corn acres, about two-thirds
of sorghum acres and up to 90 percent of sugar cane acres in the
United States use atrazine to control weeds.”
Triazine herbicides were discovered by researchers at a Syngenta
legacy company in the early 1950s, and atrazine was introduced
to growers for the 1959 season. As the original developer,
Syngenta plans to celebrate atrazine’s anniversary throughout
the year.
The product is known for economical and effective weed control
and the ability to enhance the performance of other products.
“Atrazine is an economical option that helps us control problem
weeds like velvetleaf, vines and morningglory,” said grower Mat
Muirheid of Oakley, Ill., who is a second-generation atrazine
user. “We get more residual control for the cost, and that
protects our yields.”
According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
estimates, atrazine helps corn growers like Muirheid save as
much as $28 per acre. Besides protecting crops and grower
profits, atrazine also supports conservation tillage systems
that can reduce soil erosion by up to 90 percent, and can help
delay the development of weed resistance.
Muirheid noted, “We also use atrazine to provide a different
mode of action for weed control. We don’t want to develop weed
resistance.”
Today, besides being available as a stand-alone herbicide, such
as AAtrex® brands, more than 45 pre-mix products contain
atrazine, including Lumax®, Lexar®, Expert® and Bicep II Magnum®
brand herbicides from Syngenta. Foresman added that used in
combination or rotation with other herbicides, atrazine also
helps delay and manage weed resistance.
Because of its vital role in weed control and popularity in more
than 60 countries around the world, atrazine has been carefully
studied for years. World-renowned institutions including the
World Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute and EPA
all have studied atrazine and found no health concerns when used
as directed.
“Atrazine continues to pass the most stringent regulatory
standards for safety,” said Foresman. “In 2006, the EPA
re-registered atrazine for crop protection use. And Syngenta
works closely with growers in many watershed projects and in
other stewardship programs to ensure that atrazine is used
according to EPA guidelines and best management practices we’ve
helped develop.”
Muirheid understands the importance of following those
guidelines, so that he can continue to take advantage of the
value atrazine brings.
“We follow the label and regulations for atrazine use,” he said.
“Atrazine helps us get the best weed control possible.”
For more information, visit
www.atrazine.com.
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more
than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our
purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class
science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to
increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve
health and quality of life. For more information about us please
go to www.syngenta.com.
AAtrex, Bicep II Magnum, Expert, Lexar and Lumax are Restricted
Use Pesticides. AAtrex®, Bicep II Magnum®, Expert®, Lexar®,
Lumax® and the Syngenta logo are registered trademarks of a
Syngenta Group Company. |
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