Borderless Science
The strong global research network of Syngenta delivers local solutions for U.S. growers.
High yields don't happen by accident. Neither do elite seed genetics or
modern crop protection products that make these yields possible.
"Through innovation and new technologies, we aim to protect the
genetic yield potential of plants," says Marian Stypa, Ph.D., head of
global product biology for Syngenta.
In today's world of borderless science, local solutions often take root in Syngenta laboratories and test plots half a world away. "You know the saying that two heads are better than one? At Syngenta, we have 5,000 research and development (R&D) specialists in multiple states and multiple countries," says Michiel van Lookeren Campagne, Ph.D., head of biotechnology at Syngenta. "We leverage this global network to boost farm productivity in sustainable ways."
Consider corn, which is grown in many countries, from the U.S. to China to Argentina. Cropping practices can be extremely diverse, yet producers in these regions often share similar pest challenges, notes Stypa. Scientists at the company's R&D centers and field locations worldwide work together to develop new crop solutions that manage these yield robbers. The products are then tested at the local level so that we can fine-tune product use recommendations to suit the environments where growers will use them.
"It's a powerful network," says Eric Palmer, Ph.D., Syngenta product biology lead for herbicides. "Syngenta has thousands of experts with diverse backgrounds, and the ability to share this knowledge increases the chances of success for developing effective solutions."
Winning the Battle Against Pests
Approximately 700 full-time employees are based at the International Research Center at Jealott's Hill west of London, the company's largest site for crop protection R&D and product support for herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. The scientists at Jealott's Hill complete much of the company's early-stage herbicide discovery work.
In corn, bicyclopyrone is part of a four-active-ingredient herbicide premix that will provide three different modes of action for sustainable control of waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, as well as improved control of large-seeded broadleaf weeds, such as common ragweed, giant ragweed and common cocklebur. "With today's herbicide resistance challenges, early-season weed management has become more important than ever," Palmer says. Syngenta will market the product as Acuron™ upon registration.
Partnerships Prove Invaluable
Syngenta has approximately 150 R&D sites worldwide, supported by many field locations. Jealott's Hill is one of the three most important sites, which are called international R&D centers. The other two are:
Other important R&D sites in the U.S. include:
This strong global and national presence as well as annual R&D investments of more than $1.3 billion allow Syngenta to address the various challenges facing growers worldwide. The company's global connections also allow researchers to evaluate new products under local conditions and partner with local scientific expertise. Mike Owen, Ph.D., an Iowa State University (ISU) Extension weed specialist, works with Syngenta to help field test the company's new products.
"Syngenta is a leader in the industry," says Owen, who has research, teaching and extension responsibilities at ISU. "Its well-trained scientists offer a level of expertise that's exemplary, and the company operates impressive greenhouses and laboratories around the world. I appreciate the opportunity to work with Syngenta on herbicide research and offer insights about what my colleagues and I think is important."
Syngenta values these partnerships. The company's global network, along with its team of more than 28,000 employees worldwide, allows it to build on the local resources that universities offer growers. "We're proud to work with many universities and extension specialists who conduct independent testing of our products," says Stypa. "Universities are focused on their specific state, and their local expertise enhances the solutions we supply to growers."
Communication Is the Key
This local expertise also comes from Syngenta scientists who are based around the world. They test Syngenta products in an array of growing conditions in numerous countries and regions. Field trials are conducted throughout the year in Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, South America and beyond.
"We learn a lot from each other every time we get together," says Palmer, who attends the company's global herbicide technical meeting each March and helps organize several field tours each June for Syngenta colleagues from Basel, Switzerland, the company's global headquarters; Jealott's Hill; and other locations. "The field tours allow us to view the new technologies firsthand, discuss current objectives and determine what areas we need to focus on next."
Teleconferences also keep the team connected throughout the year as they pursue these goals. "Open communication is the key to sharing information and exchanging ideas," Stypa says. "This unleashes the power of the company's global technology network to spark creativity, which promotes innovation."
In recent years, these innovations have included the Agrisure Viptera® trait, which delivers superior control of above-ground insects; Agrisure Artesian® technology for water-optimized hybrids; the Agrisure Duracade™ trait for unmatched corn rootworm control; and others.
"The global infrastructure of Syngenta gives us the extra reach that's needed to maximize the tools in the grower's toolbox, from traits to active ingredients, and to enhance each crop's genetic potential," says van Lookeren Campagne. "Our goal is for growers worldwide to produce more food per acre with fewer inputs and increase their profitability and the sustainability of agriculture in general."
In today's world of borderless science, local solutions often take root in Syngenta laboratories and test plots half a world away. "You know the saying that two heads are better than one? At Syngenta, we have 5,000 research and development (R&D) specialists in multiple states and multiple countries," says Michiel van Lookeren Campagne, Ph.D., head of biotechnology at Syngenta. "We leverage this global network to boost farm productivity in sustainable ways."
Consider corn, which is grown in many countries, from the U.S. to China to Argentina. Cropping practices can be extremely diverse, yet producers in these regions often share similar pest challenges, notes Stypa. Scientists at the company's R&D centers and field locations worldwide work together to develop new crop solutions that manage these yield robbers. The products are then tested at the local level so that we can fine-tune product use recommendations to suit the environments where growers will use them.
"It's a powerful network," says Eric Palmer, Ph.D., Syngenta product biology lead for herbicides. "Syngenta has thousands of experts with diverse backgrounds, and the ability to share this knowledge increases the chances of success for developing effective solutions."
Winning the Battle Against Pests
Approximately 700 full-time employees are based at the International Research Center at Jealott's Hill west of London, the company's largest site for crop protection R&D and product support for herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. The scientists at Jealott's Hill complete much of the company's early-stage herbicide discovery work.
Each year, researchers at Jealott's Hill screen thousands of chemical compounds in the quest to develop new herbicides. A multimillion-dollar, automated formulation robot at the facility allows Syngenta researchers worldwide to run these tests daily, in order to understand how the new compounds will behave in different formulations. This will help develop the best possible solutions for the grower - solutions that include new premixes with novel active ingredients, like bicyclopyrone, a developmental herbicide pending U.S. registration."Open communication is the key to sharing information and exchanging ideas. This unleashes the power of the company’s global technology network to spark creativity, which promotes innovation."
In corn, bicyclopyrone is part of a four-active-ingredient herbicide premix that will provide three different modes of action for sustainable control of waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, as well as improved control of large-seeded broadleaf weeds, such as common ragweed, giant ragweed and common cocklebur. "With today's herbicide resistance challenges, early-season weed management has become more important than ever," Palmer says. Syngenta will market the product as Acuron™ upon registration.
Partnerships Prove Invaluable
Syngenta has approximately 150 R&D sites worldwide, supported by many field locations. Jealott's Hill is one of the three most important sites, which are called international R&D centers. The other two are:
- Stein, Switzerland - chemistry, biological sciences (fungicides, insecticides, crop enhancement), seed treatment, field testing
- Research Triangle Park, N.C. - biotechnology
Other important R&D sites in the U.S. include:
- Clinton, Ill. - biological assessment for corn and soybean
- Gilroy, Calif. - flowers breeding and trialing
- Greensboro, N.C. - formulation, product safety, environmental sciences
- Slater, Iowa - corn and soybean breeding and trialing
- Stanton, Minn. - corn breeding and trialing; quantitative genetics
- Vero Beach, Fla. - biological assessment
- Woodland, Calif. - vegetables breeding
This strong global and national presence as well as annual R&D investments of more than $1.3 billion allow Syngenta to address the various challenges facing growers worldwide. The company's global connections also allow researchers to evaluate new products under local conditions and partner with local scientific expertise. Mike Owen, Ph.D., an Iowa State University (ISU) Extension weed specialist, works with Syngenta to help field test the company's new products.
"Syngenta is a leader in the industry," says Owen, who has research, teaching and extension responsibilities at ISU. "Its well-trained scientists offer a level of expertise that's exemplary, and the company operates impressive greenhouses and laboratories around the world. I appreciate the opportunity to work with Syngenta on herbicide research and offer insights about what my colleagues and I think is important."
Syngenta values these partnerships. The company's global network, along with its team of more than 28,000 employees worldwide, allows it to build on the local resources that universities offer growers. "We're proud to work with many universities and extension specialists who conduct independent testing of our products," says Stypa. "Universities are focused on their specific state, and their local expertise enhances the solutions we supply to growers."
Communication Is the Key
This local expertise also comes from Syngenta scientists who are based around the world. They test Syngenta products in an array of growing conditions in numerous countries and regions. Field trials are conducted throughout the year in Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, South America and beyond.
"We learn a lot from each other every time we get together," says Palmer, who attends the company's global herbicide technical meeting each March and helps organize several field tours each June for Syngenta colleagues from Basel, Switzerland, the company's global headquarters; Jealott's Hill; and other locations. "The field tours allow us to view the new technologies firsthand, discuss current objectives and determine what areas we need to focus on next."
Teleconferences also keep the team connected throughout the year as they pursue these goals. "Open communication is the key to sharing information and exchanging ideas," Stypa says. "This unleashes the power of the company's global technology network to spark creativity, which promotes innovation."
In recent years, these innovations have included the Agrisure Viptera® trait, which delivers superior control of above-ground insects; Agrisure Artesian® technology for water-optimized hybrids; the Agrisure Duracade™ trait for unmatched corn rootworm control; and others.
"The global infrastructure of Syngenta gives us the extra reach that's needed to maximize the tools in the grower's toolbox, from traits to active ingredients, and to enhance each crop's genetic potential," says van Lookeren Campagne. "Our goal is for growers worldwide to produce more food per acre with fewer inputs and increase their profitability and the sustainability of agriculture in general."
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