2nd April 2024

There are even more reasons to make CRUISER® 350FS part of your farm paddock plans this year with a label extension picking up key pulse crops, and just in time since virus vectors are raising new concerns.  

A variety of insect pests can present significant challenges during early plant establishment, particularly aphids carrying what researchers have found to be new strains of common viruses. 

PhD student Narelle Nancarrow, of the University of Melbourne, told farmers at a recent Grains Research and Development Corporation update that they should be proactively managing weeds and volunteer cereals to reduce these vectors for virus-carrying aphids.  

Combining this approach with seed applied insecticides can offer cost-effective peace of mind for all the major grain crops, helping to manage aphids and other pests, while slowing the spread of viruses. 

Of particular concern to Ms Nancarrow and other researchers this season is both barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and cereal yellow dwarf virus (CYDV). 

In addition, Syngenta Seedcare Institute Manager and Technical Services Lead Craig Whiting is also urging advisors and growers to weigh up the threat of aphids to numerous crops. 

“The green bridge can be a real issue for pulse crops, with green peach aphids and pea aphids, helping to transmit viruses between plants,” he said. 

“Pea aphid infests legumes including faba beans, chickpeas, field peas and lentils. Pea aphid is the main vector for the spread of bean leafroll virus, alfalfa mosaic virus and cucumber mosaic virus – major viruses of chickpeas and faba beans.” 

CRUISER® 350FS insecticide seed treatment from Syngenta has a broad label for the management of establishment pests in wheat, barley, triticale, cereal rye, and oats, while being newly registered for chickpeas, faba beans, field peas, lentils, lupins and vetch. 

For cereal growers, CRUISER® 350FS offers control of wheat/oat aphid, green peach aphid, corn aphid, cow pea aphid and Russian wheat aphid, while also having a label claim for the reduced spread of BYDV and CYDV. 

For the aforementioned pulses, CRUISER® 350FS is registered for the control of aphids including green peach aphid and pea aphid. 

“Early season aphid control through the use of CRUISER® 350FS seed treatment can reduce the aphid numbers in the crop and delay the colonisation of aphids during early plant growth, aiding in reducing the spread of non-persistently transmitted viruses within the crop,” Mr Whiting said. 

Further to this aboveground control, is the management of belowground pests including false and true wireworm in key cereal crops.   

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The information provided in this article is intended as a guide only. Information contained in this article has been provided by the manufacturer/ You should not rely on the information in this article, and it should not be considered advice. You should seek professional advice regarding relevant factors specific to your situation. This article does not take into account variable conditions that may impact performance. Always read and follow label directions before using any product in this article. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Nutrien Ag Solutions Limited and its related associated entities will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by any person arising out of any reliance on any information contained in this article.