Basel, Switzerland: Syngenta announced the launch of the EPIVIO™ brand family, which is a range of new bio stimulants which address abiotic stresses through seed treatment. Over the last five years Syngenta has developed abiotic stress management testing capabilities to simulate drought, heat, cold and nutrient stresses.

To improve plant growth, seed treatment products resulting from this R&D platform are now commercialized under the EPIVIOTM brand in combination with other Seedcare products while addressing difficult-to-control pathogens, insects and nematodes.

By providing micronutrients and bio-stimulant compounds to the plant and by activating soil microflora, EPIVIO™ products stimulate seedling development. The resulting natural symbiotic cycle leads to stress tolerant plants. Extensive field trials in Latin America have demonstrated yield benefits averaging 5% to soybean growers under a broad range of conditions.

“Syngenta has always been at the forefront in delivering innovation through seed applied fungicides, insecticides and nematicides as well as through our focus on root health. We see soil productivity as a major new opportunity to make crops more efficient, stress tolerant and higher yielding,” Ioana Tudor, Syngenta Global Head of Seedcare.

In Brazil for soybean and in China for corn, first sales of EPIVIO™ will take place this year. EPIVIO™ will then be rapidly expanded to additional crops and geographies.