Crop treated with Invinsa

Untreated control Photo: Rohm and Haas

Syngenta has reported its full year results for 2007, highlighting the importance of its R&D pipeline and new products focused on managing abiotic stress for crops.

The company pointed to ‘new product momentum’ and an ‘outstanding pipeline’ as key factors contributing to its success, with sales up by 11% at $9,240 million and crop protection sales up 11% at $7,300 million. Product line and new product growth were also up by 20% at $1,200 million. The crop protection pipeline offered a peak sales potential upward of $2,000 million.

Syngenta’s stress tolerance research is pinnacled with its Invinsa range, Syngenta’s first stress product, set for a target launch of 2009/10 with revised peak sales of $500m.

Invinsa, the first technology from Syngenta designed to protect crops from drought stress, is exclusive for pre-harvest use. The technology can help increase drought and heat stress tolerance, with multi-crop application and an estimated US launch of 2009/10. Syngenta predict the potential market size for Invinsa to be in excess of $500m.

The technology works by blocking ‘stress’ signals from ethylene, a natural plant hormone. Under heat and drought conditions, ethylene warns the plant to reduce growth, triggering premature leaf death and yield loss. Invinsa prevents the ethylene stress signal being triggered, resulting in continued active photosynthesis and growth during dry conditions.

Invinsa is applied to actively growing crops as an over-the-top foliar spray, entering plants within a few minutes of application and becoming rain fast within 30 minutes. Field research trials on maize using Invinsa have demonstrated yield increases of 5 – 15% under mild to moderate heat and drought stress conditions.

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Syngenta is also preparing a 2011 launch for conventionally-bred drought- tolerant maize, to serve as part of a focused drought tolerance programme.  Genetically modified drought-tolerant maize is set to follow after 2014.  Syngenta predicts a ~10% yield increase with ~50% less required water when using the technology.  Maize with improved nitrogen efficiency is scheduled for commercialisation after 2015.
By Rebecca Debens

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